Stimulus funds to help repave streets

Two streets in low- and middle-income Costa Mesa neighborhoods will be repaved using federal stimulus money that the city initially wanted to use to renovate a bike path.

Included in President Obama’s stimulus package is $1 billion in extra Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds — money that local governments are given to spend on projects that benefit low-income residents.

The city plans to repair Knowell Place and Ralcam Place, two Westside streets off of Harbor Boulevard.

Costa Mesa wanted to spend its $360,000 share to renovate the bike path that runs along Joann Street and Harbor, but the department of Housing and Urban Development told city officials that recreation projects don’t qualify for the money.

The city says it’s exploring other ways of funding the $1.7-million bike path renovation, which is already completely planned. Officials say that the project is a “top priority” and enough money will be available to get it done.

— Alan Blank