Downey : Low-Income Housing Funds Diverted to Other Projects
Two Downey parks, an adult literacy program and a city beautification program were selected by the City Council on Tuesday to receive federal funds.
In all, the city moved $100,000 from funds originally targeted for low-income housing rehabilitation. Rio San Gabriel and Brookshire parks will get new playground equipment, the Families for Literacy at the Downey Library will buy a computer for its assessment center, and Keep Downey Beautiful will get money to remove graffiti and clean up areas in low-income areas.
The council diverted $39,491 of the low-income housing funds to develop a blueprint for development in the financially depressed downtown area.
Last week, residents voted against a plan that would have allowed Krikorian Theaters to build a multiscreen theater on a city-owned, two-acre vacant lot downtown.
Downey officials had counted on the theater as a catalyst to revitalize the area by attracting businesses and consumers, said Art Rangel, director of community development.
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