The American Rescue Plan Act
In response to the community's feedback and with guidance from the Aurora City Council, the city of Aurora has decided how to allocate federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding awarded in 2021 to support economic and public health recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $1.9 trillion ARPA economic stimulus bill, signed into law in March 2021, provided the city of Aurora with $65.4 million in one-time direct federal aid, with additional funding given for programs related to rental and housing assistance.
Because of the pandemic, the city experienced revenue shortfalls that negatively impacted its ability to deliver government services. To the extent of this lost revenue, the city can use ARPA funds to provide government services, including necessary infrastructure projects, in order to meet the community's needs.
To inform City Council’s funding decisions, they asked the community to dream big about their priorities in recovering from the pandemic. The community provided feedback through surveys, idea boards and community listening sessions. Items were prioritized under three funding categories: Community Assistance, Infrastructure and Service Preservation.
Park Renovations
In January 2022, City Council approved $4.5 million in one-time direct federal aid for park renovation projects across the city. PROS staff prioritized properties and amenities for renovation based on a city-wide infrastructure survey completed in 2020. The 12 project sites selected will have far-reaching impacts as renovations are intended to fill gaps in service areas and provide inclusive and accessible amenities for residents of all ages and abilities.
Follow the links below to learn more about renovations at each park.
Designs and more details about each project will be posted as they become available. Posted drawings are subject to change during the design and construction drawing development process.