A wasted opportunity?

I've been trying to give a good bit of attention to the allocation of additional stimulus funding for the Community Development Block Grant, and Blake's article today does a nice job summarizing the options on the table. I think it's safe to say, with all due respect to my friends on the Athens-Clarke County Commission, that I'm going to be somewhat disappointed in how this money is allocated. Primarily because I think it's going to be, in a way, a lost opportunity ... in many respects.

For instance, the decision to pretty much rule out beginning the renovation of the old Rutland School because of what you think might be difficult is frustrating to me. If it's obvious that the renovation of this building is in the community's best interest - coupled with the fact that it could help bring about a vital component of neighborhood stabilization - to see it so casually dismissed genuinely depresses me.

Likewise, the stubborn insistence on pushing forward with the installation of low-flow toilets is maddening to me, particularly when there's evidence to suggest that it might be a classic case of good intentions resulting in a community biting off more than it can chew.

Also, for the sake of expediency, it seems to reward non-profits which already have reliable streams of funding rolling in. AIDS Athens, for instance, receives federal HOPWA funds, while Advantage Behavorial receives comparable federal funding to supports its population served. So, while this is by no means a statement against the two organizations (particularly since I think AIDS Athens is one of the best organizations in town), all that's happening is you're merely throwing money at organizations that are already flush with cash (comparatively speaking).

However what is most disappointing to me is that it seems to take an extraordinary opportunity and attempt - again - to piecemeal a solution together. It seems like you're just trying to make everyone happy so $50,000 goes here and $100,000 goes here and $35,000 goes here and, before you know it, you've sailed through the allocated funding with little to show for it.

I want fundamental, big-picture solutions to our problems. Not low-flow toilets. Not supplementing the budgets and existing caseloads of non-profits. Not a blanket approach designed to make sure everyone get a piece of pie yet only leaves most folks angry.

I want a big idea aimed at fixing a big problem.

Like I said in an earlier post, why not use the Rapid Re-Housing funding to get the existing, identified homeless families off the street and use existing programs to provide services ... and why not use the rest of the CDBG money to fix up the Rutland Academy ... or identify a section of the community and start cleaning up some blighted property?