Requesting the appropriation of $124,331 from the Community Preservation Act Fund for improvements to Blessing of the Bay Linear Park.

To the Honorable City Council: The Mayor respectfully requests that this Council appropriate a total of $124,331 of Community Preservation Act (CPA) Funds, including $100,331 from the Open Space Reserve and $24,000 from the Budgeted Reserve for construction of improvements to Blessing of the Bay Park, to be administered by the City of Somerville Public Space and Urban Forestry Division. The appropriation will be allocated to the Open Space and Recreational Land CPA category (Fund #3251). The following funding condition has been placed on the project: If the Blessing of the Bay Linear Park is subject to a change in use which reduces or eliminates the open/outdoor recreation space within 50 years of the approval of this grant, the funds will be required to be returned to the CPA Open Space Reserve, unless the Community Preservation Committee consents to allow the City to retain the funds. Details of this request are available in the attached funding recommendation from the Community Preservation Committee. Appropriate staff will be available to address any questions you may have. Thank you for your consideration of this item. Respectfully Submitted, Jake Wilson, Mayor