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Stuart CRA awards four facade and safety matching grants totaling $36,350; extends small‑business grant cycle 30 days
Summary
The City of Stuart CRA board approved matching grants for four small downtown and corridor properties totaling $36,350 and voted to extend the remaining 2024–25 grant cycle balance of $13,650 for 30 days on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
The City of Stuart Community Redevelopment Agency board approved matching grant awards for four small projects — totaling $36,350 — and voted to extend the remaining 2024–25 grant cycle balance of $13,650 for 30 days.
Staff presented four Business Exterior Rehabilitation Program (BERP/BURP) applications and recommended approval. Jordan (staff member) described each application and the eligible improvements: a small paving and resurfacing request for a first‑time applicant (estimated improvement cost about $12,700, grant match requested $6,350); façade and parapet work covering six storefronts under Downtown Stuart Retail LLC at 37 SW Osceola Street (estimated cost about $164,000, grant match $10,000); impact windows and doors at Maria’s Cafe at 10 SW Osceola Street (estimated $24,000, grant match $10,000); and parking lot resurfacing, awning replacement and impact windows at Idella LLC (formerly Lola’s Seafood) at 300 SW Federal Highway (estimated $28,000, grant match $10,000). Staff recommended approval for all four projects.
The board discussed program rules and local concerns: members reiterated the program cap of up to $10,000 per application as a match and that awards are handled on a first‑come, first‑served basis when available funds are limited. Board member Clark noted small property owners often pay for improvements that later benefit landlords; several members said they favored funding projects that “wouldn’t get done otherwise.”
Property owner Keeley Andress, identified as the owner of one applicant property, spoke to the board and said she had owned her building for 40 years and was seeking assistance to “make it look nice.”
A motion to award the four recommended grants was made by Board member Brett Bowman and seconded by Vice Chair Collins; the motion passed on roll call with all voting members recorded as yes. The board then voted to extend the grant cycle for the remaining balance of $13,650 for 30 days. Vice Chair Collins moved the extension and Board member Clark seconded; the extension passed unanimously on roll call.
Board discussion clarified how remaining funds would be handled if multiple applications arrive during the 30‑day extension: awards would be processed on a first‑come, first‑served basis, with the board retaining discretion at the time of award to split remaining funds or adjust allocations. Staff said any unspent balance would remain in the CRA fund and could be considered during next year’s budgeting process; increasing the per‑application cap would require a separate policy change.
The board directed staff to proceed with the allocations as approved and to open a 30‑day cycle for the remaining $13,650. Staff will present any subsequent applications that qualify under program rules for final award.
