Port Orchard councilors on July 22 directed staff to begin developing a downtown façade and frontage improvement grant program and to start outreach with downtown property owners to test appetite for cost‑sharing, a policy that would aim to incentivize façade and frontage upgrades.

City attorney and staff told the council that a program is legally feasible if it is crafted with a public nexus and clear policy safeguards. "From a legal perspective, we would need to have a policy associated with the program," the city attorney said, and a finance department representative said the policy must specify match requirements and clawbacks for grant funds.

The nut graf: Council support was strong for a program that requires property owners to provide a match (members suggested 25–50 percent) and for starting targeted outreach to major downtown property owners to determine participation, constraints and priorities before the council commits budget funds.

Councilmembers urged a reimbursement structure when public funds are involved so property owners have skin in the game. Several councilors recommended an initial focus on frontage and façade improvements and to coordinate outreach with local merchant organizations, property owners who hold large downtown parcels and partners such as the Port Orchard Main Street effort.

Council members also asked staff to draft a policy that would include eligibility criteria, match levels, clawback language and a process for awarding funds; staff said they would present a draft policy and possible budget allocations at a later meeting. One councilor suggested public meetings or a town hall to collect input from landlords and merchants before the council finalizes policy details.

Ending: Staff will prepare a draft policy and engage downtown property owners and merchants for feedback; councilors indicated they would consider mid‑year budget allocations if outreach shows viable projects and property‑owner commitment.