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Committee approves Kenmore Improvement Fund grant to support renovation at 995 Kenmore
Summary
The committee approved, by consent, authorizing the mayor to enter into a grant agreement with Better Kenmore Community Development Corporation for renovation of 995 Kenmore Boulevard, with staff and the applicant describing higher-than-expected construction bids and use of the Kenmore Improvement Fund to fill a funding gap.
The Planning Committee approved on consent an ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a grant agreement with Better Kenmore Community Development Corporation (CDC) for redevelopment of property at 995 Kenmore Boulevard.
Staff and council members said Better Kenmore sought assistance after renovation bids exceeded original estimates. Sean Vollman (staff) summarized prior discussions and said Better Kenmore—s representative had arrived to present details. Better Kenmore representative Aleni Manosoyanakis described the project as a renovation intended to reduce blight, increase foot traffic and public safety, and bring improvement to the community.
Councilwoman Tina Boyse spoke in support, calling the property long-blighted and noting the CDC planned to create two affordable housing units and lower-cost commercial rental space for small businesses. Boyse explained the Kenmore Improvement Fund (colloquially the SALT Fund) is replenished by payments tied to local salt-mining operations and is intended for Kenmore-area improvements.
Committee members moved the item to consent and approved it by voice vote. The measure was handled as an emergency ordinance on the agenda; no separate vote tally beyond a unanimous consent vote was recorded in the committee discussion.
Staff indicated the project would proceed with grant support from the Kenmore Improvement Fund; details of the grant amount and contract terms were not specified in the committee discussion recorded in the transcript.
