Co-authored by NLC intern Sharon Glenn
Community Project Requests — previously referred to as “earmarks” — are one-time funding requests that can be spent over a one-year project period. Unlike traditional grant applications, which are submitted to federal agencies, cities submit a project proposal directly to their Senators and respective House Member.
In Tampa, Florida, community project funding helped provide the dollars needed for a new senior center space in an underserved neighborhood.
This blog is based on an interview with the city.
The Project at a Glance
- Location: Tampa, Florida
- Population: 384,959
- Project: Fair Oaks Recreation Complex Center Expansion
- Funding Source: FY2022 Appropriations: Transportation and Housing (PDF)
- Funding Amount: $1,000,000
- Writer: City of Tampa Government Affairs team
- Timeline: Funds requested in 2022 and received in 2023. The community center with a dedicated senior wing will open in Fall 2025, with the entire recreation complex opening in Spring 2026.
Community Need
The renovation of the Fair Oaks community center has been years in the making. After years of hearing East Tampa residents ask for a more modernized recreational space and increased access to recreational opportunities, the city committed funding to renovate the community center back in 2019. Community engagement and input have served as a hallmark of the city’s approach over the past six years, including special sessions focused on receiving feedback from youth and students. The renovation and expansion also allowed the city to rehabilitate the neighborhood by turning closed-down stores into community amenities.
Within the renovated community center will be a new senior center, which will provide services and activities for active older adult residents.
“This funding strengthens our commitment to giving East Tampa’s seniors a space they can truly be proud of — one that reflects the legacy they’ve built and the deep respect we have for all they’ve contributed to our community. At Fair Oaks, they’ll find a place to stay active, build lasting connections and continue living with purpose and pride through every stage of active aging.”
– Tampa Mayor Jane Castor
Funding in Action
The $1 million in Community Project funding went toward construction and supplemented additional funding sources. Thanks to the appropriation, seniors will have a dedicated state-of-the-art space where they can participate in wellness classes, social events and other activities aimed at encouraging healthy, active lifestyles in an effort to combat loneliness.
When looking for a potential project to submit to their Congressional delegation, the senior center at Fair Oaks stood out as a win-win. This project was not only important to the community, but it was also a shovel-ready project that the City knew was a priority to their Congressional member, who has played a tremendous role throughout her career in ensuring that the older community has resources throughout the city.
Impact on the Ground
The Fair Oaks recreation complex will create 10.2 acres of indoor and outdoor space in the heart of East Tampa, an underserved part of town. This significant investment ensures residents of all ages have access to activities that support both mental and physical well-being, while also fostering pride and cohesion between almost a dozen neighborhoods.
“Our goal is to create a space that is safe and enjoyable for everyone from toddlers to our older, active adults.”
– Janelle McGregor, Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships
The community has been intimately involved in the process since Day 1. Making sure their voices were heard in the design phase of the project, having them present for meetings and providing input on renderings was critically important through the process. Tampa also prioritized the voices of small businesses and ensured they had an opportunity to work on the project that the city now calls “the Jewel of East Tampa.” They are committed to ensuring that it’s a community win and that the community is there to celebrate and take part in a transformative project that will boost economic development.
Learn More
Explore NLC’s guide to tracking FY2026 Community Project Requests in Congress to help your city successfully navigate the process.
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