Got an idea for a project to better your neighborhood?

Members of the City Council want to hear from you and beginning Monday the city website will have an application form giving residents the opportunity to present their ideas, City Council President Steve McAllister said Wednesday.

The website solicitation is in response to Mayor Frank Picozzi’s pledge to allocate $200,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal funds to projects in each of the nine wards.  Picozzi turned to council members, saying they best know the community.

McAllister expects project suggestions to be collected over the next month with the council being briefed on proposals as part of its meeting agenda.

Outlining how this would work, he said the following wording or something close this would appear on the website:  “The City of Warwick has American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal funds available to help us to make infrastructure improvements, enhance recreational opportunities, and implement beautification projects, all designed to make our wonderful City an even better place in which to live and work. Each of the City’s nine City Council wards has been allocated approximately $200,000 for projects, and we want to ensure that funds are used in the most efficient and cost-effective manner so that we can complete as many projects/improvements in as many areas as possible in each Ward. With this in mind, we want to hear ideas from the community as to what projects you feel would help improve the quality of life in your Ward. Please fill out the form below and submit it to the City. Please be sure to include a brief, but detailed, description of your project proposal, along with a best estimate of cost (if known).

“Any project proposed must be an authorized expenditure under APRA and must show that it will have a positive impact on our efforts to beautify our neighborhoods, increase economic development, and/or provide recreational opportunities or other amenities to areas throughout the City. Projects must be able to be completed in their entirety with any funds awarded; they cannot have annual, recurring costs associated with them.   The Administration and City Council will be reviewing all suggestions, and a public hearing will be held to discuss recommended project proposals by each council person for each Ward. During this hearing, members of the public will be afforded the opportunity to speak in favor of or against any proposed recommended projects.  The full City Council would then vote on these projects through a formal, public vote of a City Council Resolution authorizing these projects.”

McAllister pointed out approved projects would follow the procedure of bids and review by the city and council.