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Board approves 12 PACE grants, midpoints and finals for downtown and targeted areas
Summary
The Board of Public Works approved 12 preservation and rehab PACE grants totaling $109,951 in city funds, plus midpoint and final payments for several larger projects, aiming to leverage $270,000 in owner investment.
The Madison City Board of Public Works on Jan. 21 approved 12 Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) and preservation grants for rehabilitation, curb‑appeal and dilapidated-structure work and authorized midpoint and final disbursements for several previously approved projects.
Brenna, the city's PACE coordinator, told the board the round included 16 applications reviewed at the committee level; 12 applications were recommended for funding. "At the PACE meeting, we had I believe it was 16 applications. 16 applications were seen and 12 of them passed," she said. The board authorized $109,951 in city grants that planners said will leverage approximately $270,000 in total project investment — a roughly 41% city-to-owner funding ratio.
Projects approved in this round included small- and medium-scale rehabilitation (tuckpointing, porch repairs, window replacement, siding), targeted facade work and several dilapidated-structure stabilizations in downtown and prioritized neighborhoods. Board members emphasized facade outcomes and asked staff to condition awards on streetside improvements where appropriate; one approval included a condition that the applicant at 412 E. Third Street add facade painting to the scope prior to first draw.
The board also approved midpoint payments for three large rehabilitations and final payments for eight completed projects. Midpoint draws approved were for 723 W. Third, 725 W. Third, and 302 Marine (amounts as presented to the board). The board approved finals for 1805 Orchard, 701 W. Second, 703 W. Second, 317 Mulberry, 301 Jefferson, 221 E. Second, 745 W. Third and 614 E. Main.
Mayor and board members praised the program's role in historic preservation and blight removal. "The PACE program is already, seeing a very robust interest for 2025," the mayor said, and staff noted the program has achieved a high private-to-public investment ratio in prior years.
Staff said they will continue outreach to targeted areas (Pinehurst/hilltop and downtown) to increase applications from priority blocks and will ensure that grant paperwork and contractor invoices match the approved award amounts before funds are disbursed. Shirley in the clerk/treasurer's office will receive final claim forms and supporting receipts for each draw.
