This is on the consent calendar but I wanted to just point out that this project would not be able to apply for state grant funding if Alameda’s Housing Element were not certified since that topic is one that we’ll be revisiting very often. For anyone that has been to Sweeny Park you’ll know that it’s not finished yet. That’s because there’s no funding to bring this project to completion. According to the staff report, they think this project would be the most likely to be funded since it’s serving a lot of purposes, from the staff report it would include:
- a community garden with plots for Alameda residents;
- free plots for Alameda Food Bank constituents, to address food insecurity in our community;
- large plots for faith organizations and others to provide food for those in need; and
- opportunities for educational workshops on garden related topics.
Again, we wouldn’t even be able to contemplate finishing this section of the park by applying for this grant funding if our Housing Element were out of compliance.
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