The Salt Lake City Council reaffirmed its support for the proposed rebuild and expansion of the Central City Recreation Center, pledging Tuesday to commit $1 million to the Salt Lake County project.

Though no official vote was taken, council members expressed unanimous interest in contributing to the $10.5 million rebuild of the community and recreation center at 615 S. 300 East.

"I think this has potential to be very positive for the community," Councilman Carlton Christensen said. "I think our $1 million investment would be well spent."

Salt Lake County has allocated about $3.2 million in Zoo, Arts and Parks funds toward the project, which would raze the 40-year-old recreation center and construct a new 36,500-square-foot facility on the existing site.

The new facility would be about 10,000 square feet larger than the current building, allowing for the development of new programs. The price tag includes using materials that would qualify the building for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design gold-level certification.

The county is counting on about $2.5 million from the federal New Markets Tax Credits program and another $4 million in donations to fully fund the project.

Councilman Soren Simonsen suggested that the city make the city's contribution contingent on funding assistance from the county for its own financially needy project, The Leonardo.

"It would be nice to send a clear message that we're happy to help them out with their project, and we'd like them to help with ours," Simonsen said.

The City Council will vote on the $1 million contribution as a budget amendment at a future meeting.

In other City Council business:

Mayor Ralph Becker presented to the City Council his proposed allocations of federal grant projects for 2008-09, diving up more than $4 million in Community Development Block Grant funds and another $1.8 million in other federal dollars.

Becker's recommendations include $1.2 million for housing programs, $725,000 for parks projects, more than $650,000 for street construction projects, $600,000 for public service programs and projects, and $430,000 for public service building improvements.

Salt Lake City's west side fares well under Becker's proposal, with about $180,000 going toward street improvements on Euclid Avenue and 1000 West, and another $375,000 for streetscape improvements at Riverside Park and a playground at Cottonwood Park.

Becker also is proposing a $200,000 renovation of the BMX trails into soccer fields at Jordan River Park on 1700 South.

A public hearing on proposed CDBG allocations is set for the City Council's March 17 meeting.

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