WDM a Thankful Grant Recipient

As a City, we work hard to obtain funding from outside entities to enhance our programs and services. Recently, we were awarded two grants that will really make a difference in our community.

The first is a Secure Our Schools Grant. Our Police Department, in conjunction with WDM Community Schools and Dowling Catholic High School, has been selected for a Secure Our Schools grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The Secure Our Schools grant was created to fund increased security measures in local schools. This grant will fund 50% of the total project to upgrade security at schools. The total grant project will cost over $930,000. The funds can be used for locks, lighting, security assessments, monitoring systems, training, and the coordination of security with local law enforcement. It is anticipated that the primary initiatives for the schools will include electronic exterior security systems, and video monitoring and screening systems. This is a measure that will enhance our ability to keep our schools secure and safe!

This grant opportunity is funded by the U.S. Department of Justice through the Community Oriented Policing (COPS) office. The Secure Our Schools grant is offered only to communities who have previously received funding through the Cops in Schools program. West Des Moines participated with a School Resource Officer in May of 2000. The two year grant period will begin upon formal acceptance and approval by the COPS Office and end on August 31, 2008.

Another important grant we received recently is the Blueprint for America Grant. WDM Community Development has received a $10,000 Blueprint for America grant from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) to create guidelines and a pattern book for use in older residential neighborhoods throughout the City. The City’s proposal, entitled “Affordable Housing Initiative for the City of West Des Moines,” was submitted because existing older neighborhoods within our City have been identified as a source of affordable housing that should be maintained and protected. The City wants to encourage homeowners to retain the integrity and character of their homes and neighborhoods by providing suggestions on how to remodel in a way sympathetic to the existing architecture and neighborhood. AIA stated that the City’s pattern book project “represents a great opportunity to demonstrate the power of design to create more livable communities.”

The City has made significant investments in many of these neighborhoods by updating the schools, parks and infrastructure. We have also aggressively pursued a housing rehabilitation program to maintain the existing housing stock. This pattern book will be an excellent supplement to these efforts already in action. It is an exciting opportunity for us to start on one of the projects that was part of our Great Places presentation last month.