Commission approves downtown grant split after Gainesville Historic Properties offers to share award

The Gainesville City Commission on Oct. 22 approved a revised distribution of limited Business Improvement Grant funds that will push awards to three historic properties downtown after Gainesville Historic Properties offered to reduce its own grant this cycle.

The commission accepted a recommendation from the Downtown Advisory Board (DAB) — which asked the commission to adopt a voluntary proposal from Gainesville Historic Properties — and approved a related Heritage Trail grant for the Pleasant Street Civil rights and Cultural Center.

Why it matters: The program funds façade, structural and accessibility work on historic properties in the city’s Community Redevelopment Area. Funding for tier 3 historic preservation projects is limited this year; commissioners said accepting the donation-like offer would let more projects move forward now rather than waiting for future cycles.

What the commission approved - Gainesville Historic Properties (Segal Building): award reduced to $95,000 (DAB arrangement). - Florida Theatre: $40,377 (administrative increase was discussed for a portion of its earlier award). - Matheson History Museum (Matheson House): $40,377. - Pleasant Street Civil Rights and Cultural Center (the former Mount Carmel Baptist Church): separate…