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Committee approves $570,000 in summer 2025 historic preservation grants
Summary
The BC&E Committee approved $570,000 in summer 2025 historic preservation grants, awarding funds to 39 applications from local historic districts and landmarks and reserving roughly $150,000 for a later round, city staff said.
The BC&E Committee on Aug. 27 approved a resolution authorizing $570,000 in summer 2025 historic preservation grants and allowing the mayor to sign grant agreements and addenda.
The awards come from a $1 million city allocation for the historic preservation grant program, which this year was expanded to include both owner-occupied properties and rental buildings of up to five units. Jill Morganssen, city planner, told the committee staff received 39 applications spanning local historic districts and landmarks and recommended funding projects the Preservation Commission ranked 1 through 3.
“The city council approved a million dollars for the historic preservation grant programs,” said Jill Morganssen, city planner. She summarized program changes: the maximum per-project grant was raised from $20,000 to $30,000; grants over $15,000 require a dollar-for-dollar match; and a $1,000 bonus is available when a local contractor is used toward the match.
The funded work covers exterior preservation such as tuck-pointing, window restoration or replacement, chimney and porch work, siding repair, and structural stabilization. Morganssen listed example awards presented to the committee: 77 South UC Street (local landmark) — $31,000 for tuck-pointing, wood repair and painting; 231 South Fourth Street — $6,435 for porch restoration; 233 West Park — $17,586 for window and masonry restoration; and multiple other projects ranging from under $10,000 to the $31,000 maximum.
Commissioners asked about repeat applicants, district boundaries, and remaining funds. Morganssen said some owners have received prior awards for different projects or had awards returned when projects were not completed; there is no limit on how many times a single household can receive a grant. She estimated the West Side historic area encompasses about 1,500 homes and noted the three West Side districts fall mostly in the Sixth Ward with small parts in the Fourth and Second wards. The committee heard staff plans to open a second call for applications late this fall, with deadlines after Thanksgiving and decisions early in the new year so awards can be combined with the next budget cycle.
Alderman Patty Smith moved to approve the resolution; Alderman Garza seconded. The motion passed on a recorded voice vote, 4 to 0. The transcript records the outcome as "motion carried 4 to nothing" but does not list individual yes/no votes by name; a roll call earlier in the meeting recorded four members present.
The committee and staff said the higher-than-expected number of applications signaled strong homeowner interest and successful outreach efforts. Morganssen and a planning staff member, Jane, delivered the presentation and answered committee questions. The meeting adjourned at about 4:22 p.m.
