Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Improvement Grant topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Agency approves $36,415.30 improvement grant for 234 South Mill in Empire
Summary
The Coos Bay Urban Renewal Agency approved $36,415.30 from its improvement grant fund for exterior improvements to an eight‑unit building at 234 South Mill in the Empire Urban Renewal District after staff and a design assistance team raised no objections.
The Coos Bay Urban Renewal Agency voted to award $36,415.30 from its improvement grant fund to support exterior improvements at 234 South Mill in the Empire Urban Renewal District.
The grant covers a portion of the lowest construction bid for the project, which staff said was outside the local floodplain and had received no objections from the design assistance team. Agency staff confirmed the award will draw on remaining fiscal‑year 2024–25 improvement grant funds.
Alina Schar, the economic revitalization administrator, told the agency that the lowest bid for the work was $49,805 from William Branstetter and that another bid from Pacific Coast Construction was $55,555. "The design assistance team reviewed it, and our staff reviewed it with no objections," Schar said. She also told members the program normally covers 50% of the lowest bid or up to $25,000; the amount approved reflects available funds in the improvement grant line.
Kelly Penniman, who identified herself as executive manager for Brancor Investments LLC and as a Coos Bay native, described the applicant's long‑term interest in the property and neighborhood. "We're not here to flip and make profits ... we really are invested in the area," Penniman said, and added the building is an eight‑unit complex that the owners have been upgrading over time.
Board discussion addressed available funds and past practice on grant percentages. Agency staff confirmed the improvement grant line began the year with $50,000; after prior awards, $36,415.30 remained for the fiscal year. A board member made a motion to approve award of $36,415.30 to the project; the motion was seconded and carried.
Meeting records show the applicant purchased the property in February 2021 and has performed interior unit remodels as tenants turned over. Staff noted a separate, smaller pre‑application for funding is under internal review and could be scheduled within the fiscal year if it proceeds.
The agency did not cite a state statute or ordinance as the legal basis in the meeting record. No formal conditions beyond the dollar amount were stated at the time of the vote.
