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Facade grant round draws no applications; downtown block party draws 5,500 and gazebo replacement funded by private sponsors
Summary
The BID facade program received no new applications for this round and funds will roll into the next cycle; meanwhile, the downtown block party drew an estimated 5,500 attendees and private sponsors agreed to cover gazebo replacement costs.
Staff reported the facade committee received no applications for the current funding round; staff met with three property owners who decided to delay applications to prepare stronger submissions for the next round. The unspent facade allocation will roll into the next year’s program and the committee will not meet for the planned review on the seventeenth because there are no applications to consider.
In event updates, Downtown West Bend Association and The Bend reported the recent block party (kickoff to Music on Main) was a large success. Organizers estimated roughly 5,500 attendees from an overhead count and said the event continues to expand. Organizers thanked law enforcement and sponsors; they also reported that temporary gazebo replacement costs exceeded available insurance coverage. Private sponsors — TRS Property Management and Murphy & Procter (and others referenced) — committed to cover the gazebo replacement and signage will thank the sponsors during the season.
Staff also summarized summer programming: farmers market attendance, Global Fest with 30 nations scheduled for an end-of-month weekend, and a calendar of concerts and community events. The board heard that some façade projects that previously received grants remain incomplete and that those unspent awards will likely return to the program budget if the work does not proceed on schedule.
No formal board action was required on events; staff will carry facade-program funds forward and continue outreach to prospective applicants.
