The Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency Board has decided to recommend to The Dalles City Council to return a $1.6 million federal grant issued ten years ago for the First Street Streetscape project because it can be finished quicker and for less money without it. Board members heard a report from Travis Kruger from consultant HDR. Kruger said the complexities of using the federal grant would add two-to-three years to the project with an estimated cost to the City of $5.1 million, while proceeding without it would only cost $4.3 million. The Council will receive the recommendation at a September meeting. The project would reconstruct First Street between Union and Laughlin.