Local cities ponder plans for piece of stimulus pie - San Diego Union Tribune
— From a $500,000 dog park and a $2 million nature center parking lot to a $10 million storm-drain construction project, Chula Vista officials didn't hold back in their funding request for the economic stimulus bill moving through Congress.Cities across the country submitted requests to the U.S. Conference of Mayors for a project wish list.
Most cities focused on proposals for roads, sewer and other infrastructure projects. The group suggested cities ask for money through federal funding streams already in existence, such as Community Development Block Grants, and those for streets, water and wastewater infrastructure.
In addition to street and sewer projects, Chula Vista asked for Community Development Block Grant funding for jogging trails and park restrooms, and $750,000 for a GPS mapping of trail markers.
In all, Chula Vista's wish list adds up to about $500 million.
“We never expected to get that much, but if you don't know how much they are going to fund, it's best to aim high and hope for the best,” said Rick Hopkins, director of the city's public-works department.