Economic-development spending over the last 13 years has been a source of much controversy - and considerable expense - for the DRPA.
The agency has spent about $500 million for such things as concert halls, sports stadiums, museums, and monuments, contributing to its $1.4 billion debt and prompting criticism by Gov. Christie and others of its spending priorities. More than 40 percent of commuters' tolls on DRPA toll bridges now go to pay principal and interest on those debts.
Included in the unspent, uncontracted money is $2 million approved by the board in December 2009 for South Jersey food banks. Food bank officials said they feared they might lose that funding as part of a DRPA retrenchment.
The other projects, largely in New Jersey, include $9 million for an urban transit hub in Camden, $3 million for rebuilding Pyne Point Park in North Camden, and $4 million for improvements for rowing on the Cooper River.
"I think we're going to be giving back a sizable portion of that money" to the DRPA, Nash said Wednesday. He said he expected the finance committee to have recommendations for the full DRPA board "by the end of August."
The money cannot be used for operating expenses of the agency, but could be used to reduce debt or for capital projects, such as bridge repairs.
"The DRPA's intent is to fund its core mission," Nash said. He said that might preclude the three food banks from getting the $2 million approved for them 18 months ago.
"Certainly, that's an important community project, and on a personal level, I'd like to see it funded. But I'm not so sure DRPA money should be used for that," he said Wednesday.
Valerie Brown Traore, chief executive of the Food Bank of South Jersey, said the food banks have been negotiating with DRPA officials for more than a year in an effort to get the $2 million.
Food providers proposed dividing the money among the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, the Food Bank of South Jersey, and Philabundance, which together provide millions of meals each year through food kitchens, senior centers, food cupboards, and other agencies.
Traore said DRPA officials initially objected to a proposal to use some of the money to buy a truck to transport food, so the food banks revised their plans to dedicate all of the money to buying food.
Demand for food is growing in South Jersey, Traore said, as jobless workers run out of unemployment benefits.
"People are turning to us to bridge the gap," she said.
She said the Food Bank of South Jersey expected to provide 12 million pounds of food this year, compared with nine million in 2010.
Contact staff writer Paul Nussbaum at 215-854-4587 or pnussbaum@phillynews.com.
