The Board of Aldermen on Aug. 4 approved two Rutland Redevelopment Authority (RRA) buy-up awards: a $5,000 grant to Booze Pizza LLC, doing business as Olympic Pizza, and a $10,000 forgivable buy-up loan (with a referral to Heritage Family Credit Union) to JCC Homegrown LLC, doing business as Treviso.
Olympic Pizza: Christopher Burke (applicant) said he plans to relocate and expand his pizzeria to 54 Woodstock Avenue and add a banquet facility. During debate an alderman moved to amend the approval to make the $5,000 grant contingent on receipt of required state and city permits; the full board voted and the amendment failed. The board then approved the original motion to provide the $5,000 grant.
Treviso: Michelle Erickson, owner of Treviso, told the board she had opened the restaurant at the former Table 24 space on Whale Street and sought a $10,000 buy-up forgivable loan and referral to Heritage Family Credit Union for a secured loan to complete equipment purchases. The board moved, seconded and approved the request.
Why it matters: The awards are small-business support measures administered by the RRA and are intended to help downtown businesses with renovation and equipment costs. Debate over contingencies reflected aldermen’s interest in ensuring required permits are obtained before public funds are disbursed; the board declined to require a permit contingency for the Olympic Pizza award.
Discussion vs. decision: The board took formal action to approve both awards. The Olympic Pizza amendment (to make the grant contingent on permits) was proposed, debated and defeated; the original grant motion then passed. Treviso’s $10,000 forgivable loan was approved without recorded amendment.
Ending: Recipients were congratulated; staff will follow up on grant agreements. The awards do not replace permit or zoning requirements, which applicants must satisfy separately before opening or occupancy.