NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
February 15, 2023
City of Wooster, Economic Development
City Hall, 538 N. Market Street, Wooster, Ohio 44691
Phone: 330.263.5250
To All Interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals:
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Wooster.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about, but not before, March 3, 2023, the City of Wooster will submit a request to the State of Ohio for the release of Federal funds under Section 104 (g) of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended; Section 288 of Title II of the Cranston Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act (NAHA), as amended; and/or Title IV of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, as amended; to be used for the following project(s):
Project Name: Fire Station 1 Rehabilitation and Expansion
Source of Federal Funds: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Project: This project will rehabilitate and expand Wooster’s Fire Station 1. The current facility is under-sized and fails to meet multiple National Fire Protection Association standards for modern services. The project will renovate 10,148 existing square feet and expand spaces for vehicle bays, office space, and life support areas by approximately 4,828 square feet. The improvements will improve the safety and efficiency of a critical public facility.
This is a multi-year project, to be completed in 2024.
Location: 510 N. Market Street, Wooster, Ohio 44691
Estimated Cost of Project: $5,373,088 ($627,500 CDBG)
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The City of Wooster has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) which is available for review on the City of Wooster’s website at www.woosteroh.com/economic-development/EA_FireStation1.pdf. The ERR may also be provided upon request electronically via email. Please submit your request by U.S. mail to City of Wooster, Attn: Economic Development 538 N. Market Street, Wooster, Ohio 44691 or by email to Jmillea@woosteroh.com.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Wooster by U.S. mail or email at the addresses above. All comments received before March 3, 2023 will be considered by the City of Wooster prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The City of Wooster certifies to the State of Ohio that Robert F. Breneman in his capacity as Mayor consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. The State of Ohio’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Wooster to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
The State of Ohio will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Wooster’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Wooster; (b) the City of Wooster has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by the State of Ohio; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Ohio Department of Development, Office of Community Development at OCD@development.ohio.gov. Potential objectors should contact the State of Ohio to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Robert F. Breneman, Mayor