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Board approves $70,812 in PACE grants for five rehab and dilapidated-property projects
Summary
The board approved five PACE grants totaling $70,812.20 for façade, rehab and dilapidated-structure projects across downtown and target neighborhoods, and board members emphasized the program’s leverage with private investment and the city’s vacant-and-abandoned property concerns.
The Board of Public Works and Safety voted July 21 to approve five property improvement grants through the PACE program totaling $70,812.20. City staff described the awards as a mix of dangerous-structure grants, rehabilitation grants and curb-appeal funding targeted at downtown corridors and the hilltop neighborhood.
Brenna (staff) presented five applications: 111 East Fourth Street (dangerous-structure grant, $10,000); 414 East Third Street (rehab, corrected grant amount $5,812.20); 920 Cross Avenue (curb-appeal, $5,000); 221 East Main Street (dilapidated-structure repair, $20,500); and 1725 Allen (dilapidated/rehab, $20,500). The board moved and voted to approve the recommended applications totaling $70,812.20 from city funds.
Staff and board members discussed the condition and proposed work at several properties during the presentation. For 111 East Fourth Street, staff said the building has been exposed to weather for about 25 years, has very little salvageable material and the owner plans to demolish and rebuild on the same footprint with a small addition. Staff said a walkthrough with Indiana Landmarks and a presentation to the historic district board of review are planned to document condition and proposed reconstruction.
On 221 East Main Street staff and board members described the interior as containing large amounts of stored material that create a heavy fire load and pose a risk to neighboring properties. Mayor and staff linked the item to the city’s vacant-and-abandoned structures work, saying the program targets buildings that threaten public safety and neighborhood stability and that new ownership frequently leads to reinvestment.
Board members asked for better documentation of total private investment leveraged by PACE awards; staff said several applicants reported only the grant-eligible portion and that staff would collect fuller total-project figures for future rounds.
Why it matters: the PACE program funds façade, stabilization and rehabilitation work intended to reduce blight, improve safety and leverage private investment in targeted neighborhoods. Board members said the awards are part of a larger strategy that includes code enforcement and a vacant-and-abandoned structures ordinance.
Next steps: staff will track leveraged private investment and follow up on project documentation and historic-review items where applicable.
