Chester city allocates remaining ARPA funds for new police headquarters, parks and rec facilities
CHESTER, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Chester officials are working to make the city look and feel better for its neighbors. They’ve been using its million-dollar stash of American Rescue Plan Act funds to improve certain areas across the city.
City Administrator Malik Whitaker says they still have more than $440,000 left to spend out of the $1 million originally provided. The federal ARPA funds are intended for projects and services in relief from the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We spent probably about half of the money,” Whitaker said.
Municipalities have until the end of the year to allocate funds. By the end of 2026, all of them must be used.
Over the past year and a half, city officials agreed to use that money to demolish old and unsafe homes, a new pool system and heating-and-air unit at the city’s aquatic center, and upgrade public safety equipment to help law enforcement get criminals off the streets quickly.
“So really wise investment leverages the funds around a lot of different things and just really, really excited about how well the city has used this money to meet some of their big goals, some of the capital project goals,” Whitaker said.
Seven items are left on the city’s list of upgrades and repairs. They’ll spend $32,000 on the Margaret Foote Parks and Recreation Center for window repairs.
Further, $12,000 will replace Aquatic Center doors and bathrooms, and more than $100,000 will fund new signage and an HVAC system at the new police department headquarters.
The police headquarters is moving into a former bank building. The transfer and remodel are set to be completed in May.
Officials also allocated $7,500 for the economic development strategic plan. Whitaker says the Chester Development Association has extended an offer to the city to go in 50/50 on the cost of using Creative Economic Development Consulting for a municipal plan.
“Just this whole need for recreation spaces and public safety and improvements to the city is all a part of our larger plan to make Chester a great place to live, work, and play,” Whitaker said.
He says these upgrades are exciting because of the opportunity to promote economic development and promote public safety.
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