NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
October 1, 2024
City of Baltimore – Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
417 East Fayette Street, Suite 1101
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-396-1228
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Rebuild Metro, Inc..
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about October 17, 2024, the City of Baltimore will authorize the Rebuild Metro, Inc. to submit a request to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Community Project Funding (CPF) Grant funds from the Consolidated Appropriations Act FY-2023, Grant Number B-23-CP-MD-0689 to undertake the creation of the “Greenmount Park”. The park project is located on two rectangular city blocks that total approximately 3.05 acres in Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The Subject Property is bound by Barclay Street to the west, East Biddle Street to the north, Forrest Street to the east, and East Chase Street to the south. The Subject Property currently consists of grass-covered vegetated land, with the exception of a playground in the southeast corner, a basketball court in the southwestern area, a storage container in the northeast area that contains sports equipment, and remnant alleys. Brentwood Avenue runs from north to south in the central area of the Subject Property. The project includes the conversion of 3.5 acres of vacant and dilapidated land into Greenmount Park. The park will include a modernized and sustainable greenspace that will offer high-quality amenities (e.g., play spaces, fitness stations, shade trees, and stormwater management features) to the Johnston Square community. This project will also provide a high-quality athletic playing field. The Community Project Funding (CPF) grant amount for this undertaking is $500,000.00. The total project cost from all funding sources is $7,000,000.00.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The City of Baltimore – (DHCD) has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the City of Baltimore – (DHCD), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) office, 417 East Fayette Street, Suite 1101, Baltimore, MD 21202. All inquiries should be emailed to Joseph.Connor@baltimorecity.gov or via the above phone number.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on the project may submit written comments to the City of Baltimore – (DHCD) at the address listed above. All comments received by October 16, 2024 will be considered by the City of Baltimore – (DHCD) prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Commentators should specify which Notice they are addressing.
RELEASE OF FUNDS
The City of Baltimore – (DHCD) certifies to HUD that Ms. Alice Kennedy in her capacity as the Commissioner of the City of Baltimore – (DHCD) 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 Rebuild Metro, Inc. to use CPF Grant funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Baltimore – (DHCD) 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 Baltimore – (DHCD); (b) the City of Baltimore – (DHCD) 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 via email in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58 Sec.58.76), and may be addressed to HUD as follows: Ms. Ebony M. Madyun, Director, Community Planning and Development Division, Ebony.M.Madyun@hud.gov , potential objectors should contact HUD at 410-209-6546, to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
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