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Commission discusses larger façade grants and approves $3,000 reimbursement for Mercantile façade work
Summary
The commission debated reviving a larger façade grant program and confirmed the existing $3,000 façade reimbursement policy; commissioners approved a $3,000 reimbursement to Patrick Veil for Mercantile building work and discussed timing and criteria for larger grants.
Commission members discussed the existing $3,000 façade grant program on May 13 and debated whether to revive a previously considered larger façade grant (historically up to $10,000) to incentivize more substantial building renovations.
Commissioners confirmed that the $3,000 façade reimbursement remains available and approved reimbursement of $3,000 to Patrick Veil for awning work and tuckpointing on the Mercantile building. The commission voted to reimburse the $3,000 as presented.
Discussion ranged from whether to run the large grant on a semiannual cycle (May and September) to what types of improvements should be prioritized if a larger grant is reinstated — items that generate assessed-value improvements were suggested (windows, structural repairs, full rebuild rather than purely cosmetic improvements). Commissioners also noted a possible large downtown revitalization project anticipated in 2028 and discussed conserving some TIF funds for that effort.
Staff said the smaller $3,000 façade grants historically had no strict cycle and the larger grant had been difficult to administer; commissioners asked staff to explore criteria, timing and coordination with the assessor’s office to prioritize improvements that raise assessed value.
The commission did not set a new dollar threshold for a larger grant at the May 13 meeting but asked staff to research options and return with recommendations.
