Livingston URA preapproves up to $47,110.78 for Empire Theater facade restoration, pending receipts and second quote

The Livingston Urban Renewal Agency on April 22 preapproved a facade grant not to exceed $47,110.78 — equal to 50% of the project’s eligible costs as presented — for work to restore the Empire Theater marquee and façade, agency members said. The approval is contingent on confirmation of eligible expenses and submission of a second quote for the tile work; grant funds will be released as a reimbursement after the URA receives paid receipts and invoices.

The application was presented by Andrew, a representative of Bay Empire Theater, who described a plan to restore historic marquee elements, replace and repair glass tile, repaint the marquee, and install neon-style lighting. "We are trying to preserve certain things with icons that we love in the city," Andrew said, describing historical photos included with the application and a lighting package sourced from a Helena vendor.

Board members and staff focused questions on several eligibility and procurement points. City staff clarified the URA generally covers up to 50% of eligible direct project costs and that the program does not typically fund energy-efficiency upgrades unless the replacement is a necessary, eligible restoration. A staff member noted that some existing lighting parts appear obsolete and likely will require replacement rather than simple bulb swaps.

Members pressed the applicant for additional competitive quotes for the tile installation after reviewing a single, relatively high installation estimate. "You probably want to get two quotes just to make sure," one board member said, noting the URA’s standard practice of requiring multiple quotes for public grant reimbursements, though exceptions have been made where alternate suppliers are not available.

The URA passed a motion to preapprove the application "not to exceed $47,110.78 or 50% of total project costs, pending confirmation of eligible expenses and pending second quote from tile installation." The motion was made by a board member present on the call and seconded by the meeting facilitator; the measure passed by voice vote. Staff reiterated that the URA pays by reimbursement after receiving proof of payment and completed work.

Andrew said the Empire team wants to begin work as soon as weather and vendor scheduling allow and asked whether lighting work could proceed ahead of tile work. Staff advised that sequencing and exact timing should be coordinated with URA staff and vendors, and that the grant award as approved is a reimbursement that will not release funds until invoices and proof of payment are submitted.

Board members also suggested the applicant provide any available photos showing historical sidewalk markings or other public-right-of-way features before making changes to the public walk, and encouraged the applicant to coordinate any public-right-of-way work with city staff.

The preapproval leaves several conditions to be satisfied: (1) confirmation from URA staff of which line items in the submitted estimate qualify as eligible façade-rehabilitation expenses; (2) a second tile-installation quote to compare costs; and (3) submission of paid receipts and invoices before the URA will disburse grant funds. The URA staff said the reimbursement process can be expedited once complete documentation is provided.

The approval preserves the URA’s role in supporting downtown façade rehabilitation while requiring standard procurement checks and receipt-based reimbursement. The agency’s action does not authorize any funds to be released until the listed conditions are met.