Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz with Nicole Clift, Dunkirk CDBG administrator.

The city of Dunkirk’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program has been working to improve the community, one sidewalk at a time.

Being a CDBG Entitlement Community, the city is provided an annual federal grant per a formula basis to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing, suitable living environments, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons. A popular project of this grant program is replacing hazardous, missing and ADA compliant sidewalks within eligible city census tracts. Most recently, the CDBG Sidewalk Program focused on walkways located on the West side of Second Street and moving up Northward toward the waterfront.

Each year, the city’s Department of Public Works (DPW) collaborates with Nicole Clift, the City’s CDBG Administrator, mapping out, measuring, and recording data eligible area sidewalks. Sidewalks that pose the highest of hazards are focused on first.

Federal funding provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides the city with expense reimbursement which makes this much needed program possible. Without this generous federal funding, the city would struggle to accomplish the number of sidewalks that are needing attention. The CDBG sidewalk program is not to be confused with the DPW sidewalk program, an entirely different program which is not funded with CDBG Federal funding.

There are many sidewalks within the city that are in need of repair and/or are missing, and many residents that are eager to see them fixed. Yearly program funding only can cover a fraction of what is needed to be replaced in each of these eligible areas, so an organized strategy is needed to accomplish as many sidewalks as possible.

Following the City’s 2019 Comprehensive Plan, and subsequentially the 3-5 Year Consolidated Plan and its related Annual Action Plans, Eligible Census Tracts starting at the waterfront and moving downward through the city will be looked at. As Federal HUD income limits change, so can the eligibility of a Census Tract. It should be noted that if a Census Tract was once eligible, it may become ineligible at a later time, and vice versa.

Mayor Wdowiasz supports this very important ongoing community project that increases walking safety for residents. The City of Dunkirk has a community where many folks walk to area schools, parks and the waterfront for events and recreation. Residents and visitors alike can tangibly experience and view these funding improvements along their strolls. In 2023, the city accomplished replacing 6,881 sq. ft. of sidewalks predominately located in Census Tract 355, Block 1 & 2. In 2024, the city managed to replace 6,540 sq. ft. of sidewalks predominately located in Census Tract 356 Block 2 & 356 Block 1. If you witness a hazardous sidewalk and want to inquire if it’s on the CDBG Program’s Sidewalk Replacement Program eligible list, please reach out to Nicole Clift, City of Dunkirk CDBG Administrator, at 716-366-9878 or by email: nclift@cityofdunkirk.com. We all can build a better tomorrow, starting today.