To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Katherine Smith, Director, Community Resources; Interim Director, Open Spaces
Prepared By:
prepared
Katherine Smith, Director, Community Resources; Interim Director, Open Spaces
end
presenter
Presenter: Katherine Smith, Director, Community Resources; Emma Knight, City of Aurora; Jessica Prosser, City of Aurora
end
Subject:
title
11:30 AM *Aurora Navigation Center ARPA Project Update
end
Purpose and Request:
recommended action
The purpose of this study session is to request from the Board an approved allocation for the Aurora Navigation Center and Shelter. This study session will provide an update on Aurora's plans for a regional navigation center and solidify the request for a County contribution of $5 million in ARPA funding to assist in the purchase of an existing hotel and convention center in the metro area.
end
Background and Discussion: The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill signed into law March 2021. The goal of ARPA is to support public health response, address negative economic impacts resulting from or exacerbated by the COVID-19 public health emergency, replace public sector revenue loss, address premium pay for essential workers, and invest in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure. The legislation builds on the CARES Act funding from 2020, which provided Arapahoe County $114 million in one-time funding. Arapahoe County received over $127 million in ARPA funds, which have to be obligated no later than December 31, 2024, and expended no later than December 31, 2026.
In 2022, the Board of County Commissioners tentatively approved an ARPA allocation of $5 million to partner with The City of Aurora on the creation of a homeless services campus/shelter. The BoCC tentatively approved this funding allocation, pending additional information and planning from The City.
Since this tentative approval, The City and The County have worked closely to dev...
Click here for full text