Why 3 Cities Are Using ARPA Funds to Boost Civic Infrastructure
A connected public realm is critical for recovery
It’s been more than a year since the American Rescue Plan Act, known as ARPA, was passed into law. This historic, $1.9 trillion package of stimulus funding was designed by Congress to address the ongoing economic crisis resulting from COVID-19, and to build upon the first federal COVID funding package, the legislation passed in 2020 known as the CARES Act.
The funds allocated specifically to state and local governments from ARPA — the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund — comprise $350 billion and can be used in myriad ways by cities and counties to support businesses and families and to stimulate a “strong, resilient and equitable recovery.” While the pattern of investments by many local governments fall into well-known and traditional public service categories (housing, public health, government operations, roads, rail and bridges), many innovative local governments are choosing to focus on civic infrastructure as a primary piece of their community recovery strategies.
These innovative leaders understand that civic infrastructure — the parks, trails, community centers and libraries that promote health & well-being, boost local economies and make communities safer — are a critical piece of building resiliency as we recover and learn to live with COVID. These investments are also widely popular with residents, given how vital parks and greenspaces have been and continue to be during the pandemic, as the places which were open to everyone, provided the opportunity for safe human connection outdoors and were in record high demand even as other places of recreation closed.
Examples of a diverse group of ARPA investments in local civic infrastructure across the country include:
Akron: Parks and recreation for safer, more equitable, connected neighborhoods
The City of Akron received a total of $145 million in ARPA funding and is going big with the largest-ever investment in parks and recreation in the city’s 197-year history. This year, the city is investing $15 million of ARPA funds to overhaul community centers, renovate and construct pools and locker rooms, redesign public parks and is supporting the groundbreaking public space transformations underway at Summit Lake and Lock Three along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.
“All residents, regardless of their income, race or education deserve experiences of outstanding parks and open spaces for recreation and relaxation,” said Akron’s Mayor Dan Horrigan in November, when he announced the city’s latest investment in Summit Lake. “The American Rescue Act funds represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in both longstanding inequities and pandemic hardships.”
Detroit: Integrated funding for neighborhood stability and revitalization
In recent years, Detroit has worked to layer its investments in civic infrastructure including parks, commercial corridors and walkable/bikeable streetscapes, alongside adjacent investments in housing, creating integrated ways to stabilize disinvested neighborhoods and transform them for the benefit of existing residents. The city’s use of its $800 million in total ARPA funding continues this integrated approach.
After significant engagement with residents — 65 public meetings and 4,000 participants provided feedback about the use of ARPA in the city — Detroit is allocating $41 million to parks, walking paths, greenways, streetscapes and arts and culture; $30 million for new and improved recreation centers; $23 million for neighborhood beautification; $40 million to improve small business and commercial corridors; and $15.5 million in funding for block clubs and neighborhood associations, neighborhood signage and grassroots, community-driven projects.
The ARPA allocation includes $20 million for the Joe Louis Greenway, a 27.5 mile biking and walking trail that when completed, will provide a place for people of all abilities to safely walk, bike, and run while connecting neighborhoods, parks, schools, jobs, historic sites, commercial corridors and public transit. The Greenway is also receiving $60 million from Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, part of her Building Michigan Together infrastructure plan.
Lexington: A historic investment in community health and wellness
The City of Lexington is making its own historic investment in public spaces — over $29 million has been allocated to expand and improve playgrounds, sports courts, trails, aquatic and community centers as well as pedestrian and bike facilities. The city will even build a brand new park for city residents, Cardinal Run North.
Lexington’s ARPA investments were driven in part by a community engagement process held last fall, with over 3,000 people participating in a community survey to determine specific funding priorities. The survey data provided critical information about the categories of investment people favored for ARPA funds to decision makers. The funding category that was ranked highest by people taking the survey was “Community Health, Wellness and Quality of Life,” which maps to the decision to spend almost a quarter of Lexington’s $121 million in ARPA funds on public space. This includes a $1 million improvement to the Black & Williams community center gymnasium.
“We are increasing access to greenspace and safe and fun recreation to improve the mental and physical health of our community,” said Jenifer Wuoremma, Lexington’s American Rescue Plan Act Project Manager.
Across the country, policymakers, elected officials and advocates are choosing to use federal funds to boost civic infrastructure because they understand that these investments are an integral piece of our ultimate ability to recover, rebuild and prosper as people and communities. These investments also foster much-needed human connections between people, bringing us together at a critical time.
Reimagining the Civic Commons is a collaboration of The JPB Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, William Penn Foundation, and local partners.
