Roseland now home to first-of-its-kind community law office

CHICAGO — Chicago's Roseland neighborhood is now home to a first-of-its-kind community law office designed to help people with re-entry services.
The new office was opened as part of an initiative from Cook County and the Cook County Public Defender's Office to provide wrap-around support for people looking to take the next step in their lives.
Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines
A ribbon cutting was held on Tuesday morning for the official opening of the Freedom Defense Center of Roseland, located near the intersection of East 114th Place and South Michigan Avenue on the South Side.
Members of Cook County's Public Defender's Office say through partnerships with four local organizations, the law office will not only be able to provide support with re-entry services but also support with housing, health care and violence prevention.
Officials said they hope the new office will be able to provide services to a part of the community that is often left in the dark.
'Unfortunately, there are some communities in our county that are disproportionately impacted by the criminal justice system. This is one of them and we're hoping we can do something about that trajectory in so many young people's lives,' Cook County Board President Prckwinkle said.
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'As you look around, Roseland is an area that sort of, you know, it is a legal desert, it's a resources desert in so many ways. So when you look at it geographically, it is one of the furthest southern Chicago neighborhoods, but when you have to go get access to attorneys that are far away and this is one way we can help direct that and impact that,' Emmanuel Andre, the Deputy of Policy and Strategic Litigation at the Cook County Public Defender's Office.
Funding for the law office is coming from the Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Officials said the goal is to get off the ground and prove how successful the concept can be to further expand community law offices in Cook County and secure additional funding.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Chicago Tribune

16 hours ago

• Chicago Tribune

Alderman pledges to fight Mayor Brandon Johnson's curfew veto, won't ‘twist arms'

As Mayor Brandon Johnson promises to veto the teen curfew ordinance passed by aldermen, the measure's lead sponsor says he will keep fighting to make it law. Ald. Brian Hopkins, 2nd, won out over Johnson in the City Council Wednesday when his plan to give Chicago's police superintendent power to declare teen curfews anytime, anywhere passed in a 27-to-22 vote. But his victory could be fleeting. Johnson quickly pledged to cast a rare mayoral veto, the city's first since 2006. The planned move means Hopkins must garner votes from 34 aldermen to overrule the mayor, a high bar that would require him to flip as many as seven council members. Still, Hopkins said Thursday morning he will move ahead in July with a City Council vote on Johnson's anticipated veto. He plans to keep making the case for his ordinance, but added that he will not be heavy handed. 'I'm going to keep pushing back on the deceptive spin, but I'm not going to call my colleagues and twist arms. Everyone is going to vote their conscience on this,' the downtown alderman said. The Wednesday vote and veto pledge marked decisive steps in Hopkins' two-year push to give police more power to curb the so-called 'teen takeover' youth gatherings that have sometimes ended in high-profile violence, including two Streeterville shootings in Hopkins' ward in recent months. Youth activists and civil rights groups have criticized the curfew measure as an unfair and unconstitutional crackdown that especially harms Black and Latino teens from poor neighborhoods that offer little safe fun. They also argue that those same teens have been left out of the debate and that aldermen should instead invest money in youth jobs, violence prevention and safe activities. 'Our children are gathering to escape the violence in their neighborhoods, the trouble at home and other conditions that they have no control over,' said Abierre Minor, a 25-year-old appointed by Johnson last year to the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability. Minor recalled speaking after the vote with her 15-year-old sister, who argued media coverage of 'teen takeovers' has been sensationalized and that all people should have the right to gather as they see fit. The police oversight commissioner said she was 'disheartened' by the City Council majority's decision, but praised Johnson's 'swift and strong' response. 'Every year, our decision-makers propose repressive, ineffective policies to address community violence that does nothing but cause confusion and community harm,' Minor said. 'This year, something different happened. We had a leader who decided to break the cycle.' The Cook County Public Defender's Office and progressive groups have also backed Johnson's stance. Just after the measure passed, Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates urged the mayor, formerly a CTU organizer, to veto it, likening the curfew ordinance to Jim Crow segregation laws. 'The people of Streeterville don't need the police to keep Black youth out of their neighborhood. The people of Chicago need policies and programs that serve and center Black youth,' Davis Gates wrote. Johnson's administration is currently drafting veto language and plans to officially veto the measure soon. The mayor had long shared tentative criticism of the potential curfew, but ramped up his opposition to the proposal this week. He argued after pledging a veto that the curfew ordinance would harm 'trust within communities' as the city's violent crime rates sharply drop, and compared the measure to crime laws 'that have overwhelmingly led to the criminalization and the incarceration of poor people and particularly people of color.' 'Offering up extended police power, without any check or balance, has not boded well for Black people and Brown people in this country,' he said. Hopkins argued Thursday the 'snap curfew' label Johnson and others have used to describe the measure is a misnomer. The measure requires police to give 30 minutes notice onsite before a curfew is implemented. It also requires the superintendent to consult others to declare a curfew, but gives the top cop final say. Superintendent Larry Snelling said in court last week he would not use any power allowing him to declare sudden curfews, but suggested he could use the ordinance to declare preemptive curfews days in advance when police learn of planned, potentially chaotic gatherings. He has carefully distanced himself from the political debate in statements. Johnson has argued he and Snelling are aligned on the matter, but said future superintendents should not have the technical ability to quickly declare curfews with little or no oversight. A final vote ought to move forward in July, without legislative trickery from either side, Hopkins said. 'That'll put the matter to bed, and I'd rather do that briefly than have it degrade into a parliamentary mud fight,' he said. 'I think at this point I am done having persuasive conversations with my colleagues.' Much could happen before a mid-July vote that might pressure aldermen to change sides, he added. He cited, as he did during City Council floor debate Wednesday, reports of a large and chaotic teen gathering at North Avenue Beach earlier this week. Police said they arrested five teens at the beach Tuesday, including three minors, for misdemeanors and citations including battery, resisting arrest and possessing alcohol.

Yahoo

2 days ago

• Yahoo

Who is running in the Rochester City Council primary? Here's what they value.

The Monroe County's primary elections is approaching as it takes place on June 24. And early voting has already begun. Rochester has a slate of city council candidates running for this year's primary coming out to a total of 15, with three of the candidates being incumbents. Five seats are open on city council. As part of the Democrat and Chronicle's effort to introduce voters to their City Council candidates, we reached out to each nominee for their input and opinions on the issues most important to them. The answers of candidates who responded are presented in their entirety and have been lightly edited only where necessary for clarity. What makes you a qualified candidate? I am an incumbent Councilmember and Chair of the Finance Committee. I have overseen annual budgets that are on-time, balanced and do not raise taxes. I also ensured that our COVID relief funding (ARPA) went towards vital infrastructure, like replacing more than 80% of our lead service lines. In the last year, I spearheaded Roc Vision Zero – a commitment to eliminating traffic fatalities – and increased our ability to produce renewable energy like solar and geothermal. I also serve as a Vice President at Foodlink (the regional food bank) and I teach local government to University students. These two jobs reflect who I am as a Councilmember. My work at Foodlink makes me necessarily collaborative, partnering with organizations across Rochester. And my class demonstrates that I understand the mechanics of government. Finally, my wife and I are raising two young boys and sending them to the Rochester City School District. What would be your primary area of emphasis in office? I am committed to making our streets safer for those that walk, bike and drive. Rochester has particularly high rates of crashes and fatalities. It is in our control to fix that and we cannot rely on old strategies and tactics. Last year I spearheaded the creation of Roc Vision Zero, a commitment and plan to eliminate traffic fatalities in our community. Vision Zero is a 10-point plan that focuses on education, engineering and enforcement to make our streets and sidewalks safer for all that use them. Because of our Vision Zero plan, the federal government awarded us nearly $25M for planning, design and buildout of a robust pedestrian safety plan. This is one example of progress, but there is a long way to go still. This will be a primary emphasis for me in a 3rd term. What's a change in direction you would work toward in office? The most important function of the upcoming City Council is the adoption of a new zoning code. Most cities only update the zoning code every 3 decades or so and it is time for Rochester's to modernize. The planning for this new code has been underway for a few years and it is time to get it to the finish line. This new code should make it substantially easier, quicker and cheaper to build homes and businesses. It should also allow us to be more creative when thinking about business opportunities. In Rochester right now there are hardly any new ranches, townhouses or coops. The updated zoning code should make these types of buildings easier and cheaper to build. The result will be more building and as the supply of houses go up the costs of rents and ownership will come down. What makes you a qualified candidate? With a long-time dedication to community care, I served as a Mental Health Counselor for incarcerated people and led a NY State funded substance use recovery center, providing holistic health and wellness support to people and their loved ones. In response to the 2020 police killings of George Floyd, Daniel Prude and the systemic disinvestment in Black and working-class communities, I co-founded Free The People Rochester—a civil rights organization implementing a care-based vision of safety that prioritizes investments in housing, healthy food, healthcare, education and youth leadership. As a Council Member, I fought alongside residents to change housing laws and expand tenants' rights, ban tear gas and chemical weapons on protestors, and funded life-affirming services including home repairs for seniors, replacing lead pipes and LGBTQIA+ supports. I hold a Master's degree in Community Mental Health Counseling from UR, grounding my leadership in the practice of hope, humility and compassion. What would be your primary area of emphasis in office? Over the next four years, I will continue to relentlessly defend and expand the rights of all Rochester residents facing threats from the Trump administration. Just this month, our Progressive Caucus introduced a Sanctuary City Ordinance, codifying and strengthening protections for immigrants and LGBTQIA+ communities. Now, as we face federal cuts to health care and essential services, we must focus on being united and working together to address urgent needs. To that end, I will continue to partner with allies from all levels of government, community stakeholders, and impacted communities to identify issues, and mobilize resources to ensure that our neighborhoods, our schools and our healthcare institutions receive the support necessary to provide essential services to residents. What's a change in direction you would work toward in office? We need a change in direction focused on creativity and building the political will to be more responsive to the needs of residents. A 2025 audit of RG&E echoed residents' concerns and highlighted disturbing facts, including significant issues with billing, customer service and tensions between meeting the needs of residents and corporate shareholders. Neighbors have proposed a solution: fund a study to determine whether it's feasible for municipalities to take over RG&E to provide better rates and experiences for residents. Though Council has allocated $500,000 for the study, a majority of Council has decided not to move forward with the study because the County legislature has refused to support the initiative. This is a general theme within City Council—when there are roadblocks, plans are halted and residents suffer the consequences. Over the next four years, I will work with my colleagues to change into a more responsive, innovative body. What makes you a qualified candidate? I am a leader who listens, I am deliberate and I care deeply about this city. My background in community development, experience in grassroots community organizing and collaborative spirit uniquely position me to create opportunities for our residents in our city. As a Rochester native, husband and father of three, I have deep roots in this community. I am a product of RCSD schools and graduated from St. John Fisher University with my degree in psychology. I started as a part-time grassroots organizer at Ibero and worked my way up to the executive leadership team. As a Councilmember, I was first appointed in September 2020 and elected to my first term in 2022. I became President of the Council in my first term and have worked to lead this city with decency and collaboration. It would be my honor to continue this journey as one of your at-large councilmembers. What would be your primary area of emphasis in office? As a Councilmember, I have focused on safer neighborhoods, quality housing and equitable access to opportunities for our residents - core pillars of my record. I have approved significant investments in public safety to include resources to reduce gun violence and improve violence prevention, increasing the PIC team and new funds to start a new ACTION team in the fall. I have invested in your public health by approving over $75M in lead line replacements across our community, with more to come. I increased our investments in affordable housing, utilizing council underruns from the PAB to support gaps in projects that bring more units to our community, to include units for home ownership. I helped develop our workforce development initiatives by bringing employment opportunities directly to residents through the Roc the Block employment fairs. There is so much more to say, I am committed to this work. What's a change in direction you would work toward in office? I would like to continue my focus on improving public safety and addressing housing through the zoning alignment project. Creating safer neighborhoods requires partnership. I would work towards enhancing our neighborhood service centers to respond to quality of life requests by investing time and energy into our strategy. With the new Neighbors in Action grants, which I helped develop, we are bringing residents together with small amounts of resources. I would like the NSCs to be developed as hubs for safety, community development, and future planning. The zoning alignment project will set the stage for housing development for decades to come. ZAP will define land uses, housing types, what we do with short-term rentals, and the development of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) among many other strategies. I believe we need people who understand these issues in office to support the growth and development of our city. What makes you a qualified candidate? I'm an artist, mom, small business owner and community organizer who's spent years bringing people together to solve problems creatively and collectively. I played a key role in organizing against the privatization of downtown, helping stop the proposed BID (for now) and keeping our public spaces in public hands. As a legislative aide for the East District, I've worked behind the scenes researching, supporting policy development and helping residents with everything from housing issues to navigating basic city services. I believe leadership means listening to the people who live here and making decisions that reflect their needs, not just the bottom line. I bring creativity, compassion and a strong grasp of how local government works. I recognize the value of our community beyond dollars and cents and I'm committed to making life better for everyday Rochesterians by putting people at the center of every decision. What would be your primary area of emphasis in office? My primary focus will be building community resilience by preparing Rochester for the challenges we face now and those on the horizon. That includes investing in affordable housing, local food systems, public infrastructure, and the care economy. These are the foundations that support working families and help neighborhoods thrive. I will also prioritize making local government more transparent and accessible. That means including residents early in the decision-making process, not as an afterthought. Whether it's pushing for public power, protecting tenants or ensuring city services reach those who need them most, I will work to make sure Rochester serves the people who live here. What's a change in direction you would work toward in office? I want to shift decision-making away from top-down planning and toward community-led solutions. Too often, policies are shaped by developers or outside consultants instead of the people who actually live here. I would work to create real, ongoing opportunities for residents to shape city policy, especially those who are most impacted. When we trust our communities and invest in their leadership, we make better, more lasting decisions. What makes you a qualified candidate? I've worked for Monroe County for 30 years, I am the past president of the 19th Ward Community Association, and I have been involved in a variety of community initiatives like the Rochester Food Policy Council and the Pharmacy Access Coalition. I currently serve as Chief Community Engagement Officer, touching every corner of this city and county. I've built relationships and collaborated with many community-based organizations-I understand the challenges our city faces. With all I've learned in these roles and the insight I have in the community, I believe that I am the most qualified candidate for City Council to be able to bridge the gap between city and county to work together on making positive changes for the community. What would be your primary area of emphasis in office? My primary focus area will be access to resources and public safety. I want to expand our outreach to underserved communities and bring county and city resources to the community in the forms of events, workshops and public forums (HUBS). The city and county have different strengths and collaboration between these two municipalities is how we can help as many people as possible. I also want to expand on mentorship and youth employment programs, focus on health and food access in neighborhoods and address the systemic issues around education. If we can find a way to take care of those in need by working towards employment, addressing health concerns and keeping them in stable environments, we will see less crime and violence. Law enforcement is important but it can't be our only focus. I believe if we heal together, we can thrive together. What's a change in direction you would work toward in office? Something I want to do on City Council is put an emphasis on funding Trade Schools. While a University education is wonderful, there are other ways that our residents can achieve success, we should be investing in these programs as well. We can get youth and adults signed up for trade schools so they can develop skilled trades like carpentry, electrical, masonry, plumbing and machinery. From there, our unions can enlist them making them accessible to big contracted jobs. This will address the shortage in trades workers and provide for young people entering the working world who know that University just isn't for them. What makes you a qualified candidate? I believe a City Council member should have a balance of qualifications and experience. A council member should be an advocate for the community. I have been an advocate since coming out at the age of 16, starting with advocating for equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community. My advocacy has only expanded over the years; I have worked and advocated for policy focused on housing, healthcare access, safer streets, and environmental justice, among several other social justice initiatives. Advocating isn't enough if you can't pull other members together and work within the system to get policy approved. A City Council member also needs to be able to govern and understand governance in this role. I have served on several boards, including the city's Preservation Board. This has helped me understand the role of a governing body and how to work collectively with others to move forward policies and strategic plans for the betterment of the organization. What would be your primary area of emphasis in office? I believe that all our challenges are interconnected; the overarching challenge is the poverty in the community. There isn't a single solution to solve this problem, but we can take steps to tackle it. We can work on expanding jobs and creating opportunities through job training and apprenticeship programs. One of the challenges with employment or meeting basic needs is access and transportation. We need to improve our transportation system and work on ensuring that work opportunities are in the city and not going to the outskirts of the county, so that everyone can get to them. We should also look at increasing the wages of city workers and increasing the minimum wage. The other main challenge is our public safety challenges. We need to invest in intervention programs and address the root causes of the crime, especially focusing on our youth. What's a change in direction you would work toward in office? Shortage of safe and affordable housing. The city is taking some steps to address this through improving the zoning code, which will help create more housing options in broader parts of the city. The affordability will continue to be a challenge if not addressed correctly. However, the city needs to create an intentional and comprehensive housing plan. We need to create a plan that can help bring someone from homelessness to home ownership. I believe that supporting community-controlled models/community land trusts is a way of creating sustainable, affordable housing. What makes you a qualified candidate? I am a qualified candidate because I bring lived experience, proven results and a deep commitment to equity. As a Program Manager for New York State's SNUG program, I achieved a homicide-free year in one of Rochester's most violent neighborhoods through grassroots partnerships and innovative prevention strategies. I founded the 14621 Food Stands during the pandemic to provide essential resources, expanding into the underserved 14605 community. Currently, I serve as a Program Officer at a local foundation, where I co-designed its Racial Health Equity strategy. I hold a master's degree from the University of Oklahoma (summa cum laude) and a Diversity & Inclusion certificate from Cornell. I come from a rich legacy of advocates, organizers, and activists, and I pay honor to those who came before me—my great-great uncle Rocky Simmons and my great aunt Audrey Smith. I am committed to carrying forth our legacy of service to empower all Rochesterians to thrive. What would be your primary area of emphasis in office? My primary area of emphasis in office would be community safety rooted in prevention, mental health and housing stability. As someone who has led successful community violence prevention efforts, I know firsthand the power of the credible messenger model—employing trusted community leaders who share lived experience to mediate conflicts and build relationships that break cycles of violence. For mental health, I will prioritize barrier-free, culturally competent services that recognize trauma and provide accessible care, ensuring no one is left behind. In housing, I will champion affordable, safe and stable options that allow families to thrive without the constant fear of eviction or displacement. Together, these pillars form a comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes of violence and poverty, ensuring every Rochesterian has a fair shot at a safer, healthier future. What's a change in direction you would work toward in office? One major change in direction I would work towards is transforming how we approach violence prevention in Rochester. Too often, our city has relied on crisis response rather than investing in the root causes of violence. I would champion a comprehensive approach that centers credible messengers—community leaders with lived experience—who mediate conflicts, build trust and connect individuals to essential supports. At the same time, I would work to expand safe, affordable housing options so families have the stability they need to build healthy lives. Finally, I would prioritize accessible, trauma-informed mental health services that meet people where they are, without stigma or barriers. This holistic approach recognizes that violence prevention, housing, and mental health are interconnected—and that real safety means investing in our communities before crises happen. What makes you a qualified candidate? I'm a lifelong Rochester resident, licensed clinical social worker and Executive Director of Connected Communities, where I've led efforts that brought over $75 million in housing and economic investment to city neighborhoods. I've spent my career tackling poverty, advocating for equitable policies and empowering residents to lead change from within. I understand how city systems work—and where they fall short for families. I bring both lived experience and proven leadership, having grown from a teen mom to a CEO and now a City Council candidate. I'm ready to bring my deep community ties, policy knowledge and results-driven approach to City Hall to ensure every Rochester resident has the opportunity to thrive. What would be your primary area of emphasis in office? My primary focus will be economic justice and neighborhood investment—ensuring that every Rochester resident, regardless of zip code, has access to good jobs, stable housing and strong community infrastructure. I will champion policies that support small businesses, increase access to affordable housing, and invest in youth and workforce development. As a licensed social worker and nonprofit leader, I know that poverty is policy-driven—and I'm committed to shifting how resources are distributed, especially in historically underinvested neighborhoods. I'll also prioritize community voice in decision-making, working alongside residents to co-create solutions that are both practical and equitable. What's a change in direction you would work toward in office? I would work toward a shift to person-centered policymaking—an approach that puts people, not just systems or numbers, at the heart of city decisions. Too often, policies are created without understanding how they impact everyday lives, especially for those navigating poverty, housing insecurity or systemic barriers. As a licensed clinical social worker, I've spent my career listening to and advocating for those most impacted by policy gaps. In office, I'll push for community-informed solutions that prioritize dignity, access and equity—whether it's in housing, public safety or economic development. Government should work with people, not just for them. What makes you a qualified candidate? I am a third generation Christmas tree farmer with a triple bachelor's degree from the University of Buffalo and have been advocating for community needs for fifteen years. As a founding board member of 490 Farmers and a leader in the urban agriculture community I have grown and donated more than 10,000lbs of fresh, organic produce to local pantries and have supported over 40 gardens across every neighborhood of the city. For the last several years, while working as a Legislative Aide for Councilmember Martin, I helped to advocate for progressive legislation and a budget that aligns with our city's needs, until October '24 when I accepted a position at the PAB. I believe that my community focused work ethic, combined with my technical knowledge and experience make me uniquely qualified to represent our community as a City Councilmember. What would be your primary area of emphasis in office? My primary focus is creating strong local food systems and a green city that ensures not a single person goes hungry in the city of Rochester. We currently have an eight ZIP code area where a third of the people are struggling to put food on their table. This is especially unacceptable since our region grows 45% of the fruits and vegetables for the entire state of NY. By working with local growers and distributors, returning local grocers to our neighborhoods and building urban farms throughout Rochester's 3,000 vacant lots we can solve hunger in our community. I believe my experience as a farmer, as a food security program manager and as a leader in the urban agriculture community will allow me to address this basic need in our city. What's a change in direction you would work toward in office? Rochester's budget this year (not including RCSD) is $680 million. Despite being in the midst of a housing crisis and seeing homelessness double in the last few years, we are spending less than $1 million on housing. Despite having some of the highest child poverty in the country, we are cutting funding to Youth Services, Community Library services and Rec Centers. If elected to City Council, I will ensure that we invest in our young people by giving families safe spaces to exist and that our housing crisis is addressed with the resources and urgency it deserves. Lastly, I am committed to funding a feasibility study that explores our options for a public utility. RG&E has been forcing our community to choose between keeping their lights on or keeping a roof over their head, and I believe it's time for City Council to take action. — Kerria Weaver works as the Government and You reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, with a focus on how government actions affect communities and neighborhoods in Rochester and in Monroe County. Get in touch at kweaver@ This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester City Council primary 2025: What the candidates stand for

Yahoo

6 days ago

• Yahoo

Johnstown mayoral candidates King, DeBartola bring opposing views to Central Park effort

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Whether to spend millions of dollars remodeling and modernizing Johnstown's Central Park is a question that exemplifies the city's differing political opinions, including for candidates in this year's mayoral race. Deputy Mayor the Rev. Sylvia King, the Democratic nominee, is part of the establishment that has promoted the project that will include installing new sidewalks, a pavilion for entertainment, monuments walkway, greenery and infrastructure upgrades. King recently voted in favor of a motion approving a final plan for the park that passed Johnstown City Council by a 6-1 vote. Republican Party mayoral candidate John DeBartola, who considers himself a political outsider, has used his platform on Revitalize Johnstown and in public forums to oppose the plan. The project, which is expected to cost between $6 million and $8 million, is being funded by American Rescue Plan Act money for COVID-19 pandemic relief. City Council approved putting the funds toward the park project from among the $30.7 million it received in ARPA money that it was awarded in 2021. 'The vast majority of the public opposes spending $8 million to completely redesign Central Park,' DeBartola said. 'The city could have used that money to remove blight in neighborhoods, build a new police station, or support a grocery store downtown. … It's a shame city leaders prioritized Central Park over the police, fire department or our neighborhoods.' DeBartola added: 'All the public wants is honest and fair leadership. The way the city has handled the Central Park project shows they have neither.' King pointed out that the city used ARPA funds in numerous ways, including programs for home repairs, home purchases, sewer assistance, stormwater upgrades, community neighborhood development, nonprofit assistance, food insecurity and the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center. The money is also linked to the $8 million in the U.S. Department of Transportation's Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development grant (formerly Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) for a streetscape in the Main Street corridor. 'The ARPA funds were used as leverage to complement the RAISE grant,' King said. 'Because they are leveraged funds, they are tied to specific projects which were outlined in the RAISE grant application – and therefore cannot be reallocated for other uses. The use of ARPA funds to invest in infrastructure projects supports the revitalization of downtown.' King said the proposed changes will, in her opinion, make Central Park 'more interactive' for visitors and easier for people using mobility aids to navigate, while helping boost the economy. 'Being able to invest in the infrastructure of the city is paramount,' King said. 'The changes being made will stimulate and motivate our local economy. Hopefully it will spark more entrepreneurship initiatives. There will be inconveniences along the way. We ask for your patience during these upgrades.' The RAISE (now BUILD) grant was awarded in 2021. 'After 4 years, the RAISE grant seems to be inching along,' DeBartola wrote in an email. 'The problem is that in those 4 years, the cost of building materials has skyrocketed. The inability to execute the grant has caused us to lose millions due to inflation.'