Congressman Cohen Secures $12.1 Million for 9 Community Projects

WASHINGTON - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that nine more of his community projects he sought for the 9^th Congressional District, worth $12,150,000, are included in the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act released today.

Congressman Cohen announced the inclusion of six community projects in two appropriations bills worth $4.9 million on Wednesday.

More appropriations bills funding other agencies of the federal government will be considered in July. The funding is subject to change as it moves through the process and must still be passed by the Senate before it is signed into law for the budget year beginning October 1.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"As I said Wednesday, we are still early in the appropriations process, but I am pleased to see all my proposed community funding projects funded to address local needs and restore some important historical structures in Memphis. I look forward to announcing further progress as the House continues work on spending bills."

The projects included in the pending legislation are:

• Snow Removal Equipment (SRE) Building at Memphis International Airport -- $1,250,000

The funding request, made with Congressman David Kustoff (TN-8), will be used for Construction of a Snow Removal Equipment Facility for storage of snow removal equipment. It is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will provide winter protection and proper storage to extend the longevity and efficiency of important airport operations equipment. Snow removal equipment is critical to maintaining passenger and cargo operations during winter weather events.

• Monroe Plaza and Extended Pedestrian Infrastructure Improvements -- $3,000,000

The funding would be used to convert an underutilized street into a new downtown plaza. It is an appropriate use of taxpayer money because it will make the Mississippi River and downtown area more accessible for all Memphians by offering critical infrastructure for pedestrian and tourist traffic.

• Historic Clayborn Temple Restoration Project -- $2,500,000

The funding would be used to restore the 130-year-old building, which was the stage of the 1968 Sanitation Workers' Strike and I AM A MAN campaign. It is an appropriate use of taxpayer money because the project will eliminate significant blight in the downtown corridor and restore a significant landmark in American history. This will help increase tourism and open a pathway for economic development in Memphis and Shelby County.

• Historic Mason Temple Renovation Project -- $1,200,000

The funding would be used for the restoration, rehabilitation, and technology system upgrade to the historic site. It is an appropriate use of taxpayer money because maintaining the historical landmark, which draws thousands of tourists to the Memphis downtown area each year, will help to increase economic development.

• Covenant Gardens Senior Apartments Construction Project TN $1,250,000

The funding would be used to build 103 units of affordable housing for lower-income seniors. It is an appropriate use of taxpayer money because the project will provide secure and long-term affordable housing to the ever-growing number of senior residents of Memphis.

• Electrical Infrastructure Upgrades at Montgomery Plaza -- $1,000,000

The funding will be used to upgrade the existing electrical infrastructure. It is an appropriate use of taxpayer money because improving the electrical infrastructure will provide better energy efficiency and will increase the electrical capacity of the development, which serves low-income residents.

• One Stop Accelerated Skills Training Center Construction -- $850,000

The funding would be used for the construction of a jobs training center. It is an appropriate use of taxpayer money because the training center will provide opportunities for economic mobility and support the increased economic development needs in the region.

• MATA Trolley Station Modernization - ADA Upgrades -- $850,000

The funding would be used to replace and modernize existing trolley stations with new features in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It is an appropriate use of taxpayer money because modernizing trolley stations with new ADA features will provide better access to passengers with disabilities.

• New Chicago Park Community Resource Center Construction and Rehabilitation -- $250,000

The funding would be used for construction and rehabilitation of the resource center in the New Chicago community of North Memphis. It is an appropriate use of taxpayer money because it is supporting an important community resource that provides a secure setting for seniors and low-income families residing in a high crime, economically disadvantaged neighborhood.

# # #

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.