AUSTIN — Today Commissioner George P. Bush announced the Texas General Land Office's (GLO) Community Development and Revitalization program received the American Planning Association Texas Chapter's 2017 Planning Award for the Carver Park Neighborhood Revitalization Program in Galveston. The award recognizes exemplary planning improving the quality of life and economic opportunities in communities.

"The GLO's Community Development and Revitalization team is dedicated to assisting Texans in rebuilding after disasters," said Commissioner Bush. "Communication and cooperation with those in our local communities is vital to the success of long-term recovery. I want to congratulate all of the GLO team members involved and our community partners for this prestigious recognition."

The project was a joint effort to revitalize a community in Galveston following Hurricane Ike. The cooperative effort of the GLO, the Galveston Housing Authority, the city of Galveston and Galveston County used U.S. Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery funds. The design plan included the use of break away designs for flooding, accessibility and connectivity improvements, streetscapes, the use of historical surroundings for design, and the addition of a new community park. 

The GLO's CDR program administers Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds on behalf of the state of Texas. HUD recovery funds totaling approximately $4 billion have been allocated for Texas following Hurricanes Rita, Dolly, and Ike; the 2011 wildfires; and the 2015 and 2016 floods. The GLO remains committed to helping Texans recover in the most effective and efficient means possible. These grants can be used for a wide variety of recovery efforts, including housing redevelopment, infrastructure repair, and planning. For additional information on the current application process, please visit TexasRebuilds.org.