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La Crosse ups facade grant caps, keeps 50% match requirement
Summary
The ECDC approved revised facade grant guidelines raising maximum awards and keeping matching requirements; staff said higher caps respond to rising construction costs while preserving match requirements and selective requirements for professional renderings.
The La Crosse Economic and Community Development Committee on June 25 approved changes to the city’s facade grant program, increasing award caps and clarifying application requirements while retaining the program’s minimum match rules.
Staff presentation and recommendation
Julie, a city staff presenter, introduced an intern presentation from Josh Lien summarizing the program’s results since launch. Josh said the Elevate Downtown facade grant program started in 2017 and has supported 46 finished projects and six projects in progress. He said the city’s contribution to projects totals about $524,000 with roughly $683,000 leveraged in total program funding and that completed projects have catalyzed more than $13,000,000 in restoration work.
Policy changes approved
The committee approved staff’s recommended guideline changes that raise per‑project grant caps: the proposed change increases the cap for non‑historic buildings from $10,000 to $15,000 and for historic buildings from $20,000 to $30,000. Julie and Josh emphasized the program’s minimum 50% match requirement remains in place — meaning a $30,000 award would normally require at least $30,000 in project funds from the property owner. "At a minimum amount, at least if a person's gonna get a $20,000 award, the project is at least a $40,000 project," Josh said, describing the existing match rule (staff said the same match will apply to the new caps).
Other guideline clarifications
Staff said some previously required items — notably professionally rendered elevation drawings — will now be required only when city reviewers request them for larger or more complex projects. Julie said the language was changed so small projects (for example, $5,000 improvements) are not subject to burdensome requirements that discourage applications.
Geographic limits and funding sources
Staff explained the downtown program boundary is tied to the tax increment district (TID) that funds the grants; TID11 has limited remaining expenditure time and TID17 remains a funding source. North Side facade work has historically used different funding sources (including a one‑time CIP allocation and earlier ARPA or other funds) and staff said any future North Side grants would require a council action to release or reallocate funding. The committee approved the revised guidelines by voice vote after a motion from Commissioner Miller and a second by Commissioner Lee.
What this means for applicants
The changes increase the maximum city contribution for larger projects while keeping the program’s 50% match and maintaining caps for awnings, signage and architectural/engineering expenses. Staff said they expect the higher caps to better reflect current construction costs while the match rules continue to ensure owners have skin in the project.
