The Ocean Beach Community Development Corporation (OBCDC) is looking for a few good volunteers and a few more dollars to help keep the Ocean Beach Entryway project on track amid a restructuring of some of the group’s board of directors over the last few months.
The project stalled briefly when the city failed to allocate the OBCDC a federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) handed out for certain development projects. Money from the grants usually pays for projects in communities with so-called “blighted” areas.
Despite being a little short on funds over the past few months, the entryway project is still on schedule, according to OBCDC vice president Ann Kelsey. The group has about $301,000 for the project and needs about $215,000 to begin the first phases of construction, according to project plans.
The OBCDC applied for an $115,000 CDBG in February.
The remainder, about $100,000, would come from donations from the community and what other grants may be available, Kelsey said.
“There are grant opportunities that may or may not pertain to our organization but we’re researching every available option out there,” Kelsey said. “Whether it’s available to us or not we’re researching it.”
The City Council allocated some grant funds to the group on May 6 when it unanimously approved the 2008-09 Community Development Block Grant program, according to John Rivera, a representative from District 2 Councilman Kevin Faulconer’s office.
The federal government allocated about $15 million to the city for the CDBG program this year. About $7 million actually goes toward projects, with the rest paying for administration, salary and the cost of running the program. The city received about $25 million worth of requests for the grant, according to Scott Kessler, deputy director for the city’s Economic Development Division.
The OBCDC plans to use a combination of government funds, private donations and money from fundraising efforts to complete the entryway. Officials hope to have some “real movement” at the site by fall, Kelsey said.
Despite the bumpy road to fruition, the project calls for a signature entryway into the community that includes a meandering walking path surrounded by vegetation and signature tree.
It would also have better access for those with disabilities, according to site plans.
The plans also include availability of custom-engraved bricks for a People’s Wall. A $200 donation will give donors a custom brick within the wall, and a $1,000 donation secures a 12-inch-by-12-inch square tile.
OBCDC members volunteer in various community programs in Ocean Beach, including a women’s shelter and cleanup events throughout the year.
The current board now consists of Brian Pottenger, president; Ann Kelsey, vice president; Rich Vermazen, treasurer; and Luke Sponsler, secretary. Former president Chris Kern acts as an advising member.
Mike Dobbs, Tom Perotti, Kris Tabaknek and Corey Wyatt make up the rest of the board of directors.
Curt Lutz no longer serves as the organization’s executive director, making the OBCDC an all-volunteer organization.
Kelsey said the loss of funds also caused the organization to close its main office and move supplies to storage and the homes of individual volunteers.
The OBCDC also helps organize community events like the Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off, coming Saturday, June 28.
Meetings are held on the third Thursday of every month at the Ocean Beach Discovery Center, 4726 Santa Monica Ave. For more information visit www.obcdc.org.