Request for Release of Funds on

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about November 3, 2020 the City of Atlanta will submit a request to HUD for the release of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1975, as amended, to undertake a project known as Project: Roosevelt Hall, 668 Atlanta Student Movement Boulevard (f.k.a. Fair Street), Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia 30314. Purpose: Rehabilitation/construction to support activities related to the University Choice Neighborhood program. The City of Atlanta Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds in the amount of $600,000 will be utilized to complete rehabilitation activities such as landscaping, sidewalks, and driveways pertaining, address grading, and erosion effecting the area surrounding building's exterior, abatement of lead-based paint, asbestos and removal of any other hazardous materials. In addition, The Housing Authority of the City of Atlanta, Georgia (Atlanta Housing) (AH) will be utilizing Moving to Work funds to renovate the administrative building that was a part of the former University Homes. The re-imagined Roosevelt Hall is intended to become a central gathering spot benefitting residents of Scholars Landing and for connecting faculty, staff, and students of the Atlanta University Center (AUC) schools. Planned uses for this community asset include office space on the second floor for the Atlanta Housing Choice Neighborhood team and other tenants to be determined. The first floor will include community meeting space; a library, lifelong learning center, and computer center; and retail space. An exciting rooftop deck with amenities and redesign of the greenspace behind the building will enhance the appeal of this building for special events and create opportunities for collaboration amongst neighborhood residents, Atlanta Housing and all interested stakeholders in the community. To facilitate the reactivation of Roosevelt Hall, AH is also proposing to acquire a lot adjacent to the property and to enter into an easement agreement between AH and Clark Atlanta University. CONDITIONAL FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The City of Atlanta has conditionally determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment provided that the conditions placed on the project regarding Historic Preservation, and Endangered Species as stated in the Environmental Assessment, are satisfied. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. The Developer of the project must satisfy the conditions enumerated in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) in order to proceed with this project. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record. The ERR will be made available to the public for review electronically. Please submit your request by email to gmenvironmentalreview@atlantaga.gov. PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Atlanta, Department of Grants and Community Development, Office of Administrative and Technical Services by email at gmenvironmentalreview@atlantaga.gov. All comments received by November 2, 2020 will be considered by the City of Atlanta prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing. ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION The City of Atlanta certifies to HUD that Mrs. Monique N. Franklin in her capacity as Director consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD's approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Atlanta to use Program funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the City of Atlanta's certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Atlanta; (b) the City of Atlanta has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Jessica F. Vasquez, CPD Director, HUD at Jessica.F.Vasques@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period. Mrs. Monique N. Franklin Director, Department of Grants and Community Development City of Atlanta, GA 10/18/20