Largest Troy park may get renovation with last ARPA funds
TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Troy Mayor Carmella Mantello proposed a plan for the city's remaining ARPA funds to go toward renovating the city's largest park, lead pipe replacements, and upgrading city-run ambulances. However, all of these plans still have to be approved by the city council Monday night, or else Mantello said the money will be forced back to the federal government.
Troy has allocated around $37 million in ARPA funds since they received them after the pandemic. However, Mayor Mantello said some projects did not need all of their funding, therefore there are about five million dollars left over. That money must be allocated by Tuesday or it will be sent back to the federal government.
Mantello announced she wants to put $3.7 million toward upgrading Frear Park -- the largest park in the city. Frear Park is known for its golf course but also has two playgrounds, a tennis court, and a restaurant the Park Pub.
“Some of my earliest memories are playing on the playground, sleigh riding on this hill, my son played hockey here and not only did I work at this restaurant here but I have two children who worked at this restaurant and most people from Troy have similar memories," said Thomas Casey, president pro tempore of the Troy City Council.
Mantello proposed making both playgrounds accessible with walkways and handicap-accessible swings. She also wants to add new pickleball courts, a community room, and new grills for families to use. Plus, with this funding, there will be a large renovation for Park Pub.
“The engineering report showed many structural issues electrical issues, basement issues, kitchen problems," said Mantello. “We don’t want to put a Band-Aid on the restaurant so some of these monies will go toward potentially demoing, and building a new restaurant.”
The Park Pub recently closed and the city is still analyzing whether or not the whole building will be demolished or just parts of it, including the deck.
Mantello hopes to put $1 million toward lead pipe replacement and $800,000 for city-run ambulances. However, all of these plans need to be approved by the city council on Monday night. Troy City Council President Sue Steele said she's unsure the mayor has the votes she needs.
“I think today’s announcement was premature because the city council does need to act on this," said Steele.
Steele said the proposal was sent to the council this past weekend and that the mayor needs five council members to approve it for the proposal to be accepted. If the city does not approve it, Mantell said the $5 million will be forced to go back to the federal government.
“Not only would we be giving the money back to the feds but we will have shortfalls now in our fire department if those monies aren’t reappropriated. So you know it's critical," said Mantello.
However, Steele said since this money was already allocated to other projects previously, it could just go back to those projects.
“We have a lot of questions. All of these funds have been allocated previously by the city council so they’re not going away by any means," said Steele. “No one is denying the fact that our playgrounds need attention and that the restaurant needs a rehab but is this the way to do it? And are we sacrificing other projects?”
Mantello said some of these projects were already discontinued, so the money cannot go back to them. The city's special meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday. Stick with NEWS10 for updates.