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Geneva council adopts historic preservation, adaptive reuse grant program
Summary
The City Council approved Resolution 2025-39 to create a historic preservation and adaptive reuse grant program that will fund exterior preservation, utility and ADA upgrades, fire prevention and interior improvements; the policy leaves funding amounts to the annual budget and allows case-by-case eligibility for tax-exempt properties.
The Geneva City Council approved Resolution 2025-39 on a 8-0 vote to implement a historic preservation and adaptive reuse grant program that will provide funding for exterior preservation, utility upgrades, ADA improvements, fire-prevention measures and interior renovations to support new uses for older buildings.
Administrator Dawkins said the program is intended “to provide funding to support the creation of new purposes for older structures while transmitting an understanding of the past to future generations,” adding the grants are meant to “improve the economic vitality of the city by cultivating vibrant business corridors and enhancing the memorable character of Geneva.”
The council and staff emphasized that the resolution establishes the policy framework but does not itself appropriate a specific dollar amount for grants. Administrator Dawkins and Director Timoshenko told the council the program will be evaluated as part of the city’s annual budget process so councilors may change the amount appropriated in future budgets or authorize budget amendments if demand exceeds the initial allocation. Director Timoshenko also said the grant agreement used for awardees will include project timelines and performance milestones, so staff can set deadlines for individual grants when they are issued.
Councilors asked about several program design issues before the vote. Alderperson Marks asked whether the city should impose submission deadlines (for example, fixed application windows twice per year); staff replied they intentionally left the program without application-cycle deadlines so the city can respond to projects that appear on the market or that have short contractual timelines. Staff said projects will be reviewed on a rolling basis and that staff will work with applicants to set reasonable completion schedules in individual grant agreements.
Council members also discussed whether one applicant could consume a large share of program funds in a single year. Staff explained the program document itself does not set per-project dollar caps, but the amount available for awards in any year is determined by the budget; if a project required more funding than budgeted, the city would need to approve a budget amendment. The council amended the program language to allow consideration of tax-exempt or governmental properties on a case-by-case basis.
The council voted 8 in favor, 0 opposed, with 2 members absent, to adopt Resolution 2025-39. The resolution will allow the city to begin outreach and implement application and award procedures; staff said the city will publicize the program on the city website, in newsletters and through direct contact with brokers and property owners.
