Pre-applications Available for Fiscal Year 2021 Community Preservation Act Funding

Pre-Applications for this coming fiscal year’s Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds are now available and are due on Monday, May 25 at 4:30pm.

An estimated $700,000 is available for projects that preserve Somerville’s historic resources and expand and improve our parks and recreational land. The City invites residents, organizations, and businesses who would like to propose a project on City-owned land or request funds for a feasibility study to submit pre-application forms by Monday, May 25. 

Community Projects Proposed on City Land
The Community Preservation Committee requires the relevant City department to be a co-applicant on all projects on public lands. The pre-applications process allows the CPA Manager to help match community members with ideas for projects with the relevant department. The CPA Manager will share submitted pre-application forms with the relevant department for review. The department will decide to sign on as a partner, propose the project be developed further and submitted in a future funding round, suggest the applicant join an existing effort related to the project, or decide not to sign on as a partner. If the department elects to sign on, staff will begin working with the applicant to submit the eligibility determination form. The eligibility determination forms and additional application materials will be released in June. Last year's forms and application information are available on the CPA website at www.somervillema.gov/cpa under the “Apply for CPA Funding” tab.

Feasibility Study Funding
Feasibility Study funds are for community members who have an idea for a project that needs further development before it is ready for submission for project funds, on either City or private land. The Community Preservation Committee uses the results from these studies to determine if they would like to support the project further should the applicant decide to apply for project funds.  Feasibility studies are used to determine the likelihood of a project’s success, strategies for increasing the likelihood of success, and to clarify alignment with Community Preservation Committee guidelines and goals. Feasibility studies may include public processes to determine the acceptability of the project to the community, surveys, costing, and technical advice from relevant experts on strategies to ensure the success of the project. 

Typically up to $2,000 is available for feasibility studies. If funding is awarded, the CPA Manager will work with the applicant to identify a consultant who will conduct the feasibility study under the supervision of the CPA Manager. An example of a past feasibility study was a project to determine possible locations for a new dog park in West Somerville. 

At this point, the Community Preservation Committee estimates that $700,000 will be available for historic resources and open space projects; however, this amount is still being finalized as a result of the uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Community Preservation Committee will be voting on the FY21 funding allocations on Wednesday, May 27 at 6:30 p.m. You can participate by joining the virtual meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/792438397. You can also dial in using your phone. United States: +1 (646) 749-3122, Access Code: 792-438-397.

Pre-application forms are due by Monday, May 25, at 4:30 p.m. and can be sent to the City CPA Manager Judith Tumusiime at jtumusiime@somervillema.gov. Applicants who are unsure of the pre-application process or have other questions may contact her via email or by phone at 617-625-6600 ext. 2111.

For more information on the CPA, sign up for the CPA Email Newsletter by visiting the City’s website at www.somervillema.gov/cpa and clicking “Sign Up Now for CPA News.”

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s Director of Human Services, Nancy Bacci, at 617-625-6600 x2250 or NBacci@somervillema.gov.