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Council to consider two Oak Street facade grants; public divided over CRA use
Summary
Councilmembers agreed to place two business facade grant applications on the consent agenda: a $10,000 request to help restore the historic Woman's Club building and a $10,000 request for exterior restoration at 6867 Oak Street. Public commenters split on whether CRA funds should be used for private property improvements.
City staff presented two business improvement (facade) grant applications and recommended placing both items on the consent agenda for the upcoming full council meeting.
One application seeks $10,000 for painting and restoration of the former Milton public library building, now occupied by the Santa Rosa Arts & Culture Foundation and known locally as the Woman's Club. Staff described the project as restoration work that already has reroofing under way; the facade grant would support painting and exterior restoration. The foundation submitted multiple contractor quotes totaling more than $23,000 and requested a $10,000 grant; staff said the applicant met the program’s matching requirements.
A second application, for Plan B Collective at 6867 Oak Street, requested $10,000 to cover painting, exterior lighting and landscaping after the applicant purchased the building in December and plans to expand an existing business into the space. Staff said the applicant met matching requirements and that some work requires historic preservation board review before payment is issued.
Several public commenters opposed or supported the grants. Jimmy Messick argued the CRA fund’s original purpose was to fight blight downtown and said he opposed using public funds to improve private property on Oak Street. Pam Mitchell and Vernon Compton urged approval; Mitchell emphasized the Woman's Club’s historic significance and urged preservation, citing archival material at the University of West Florida; Compton said the program produced strong return on investment for redevelopment in the CRA.
Councilmembers present agreed to move both grant items to the consent agenda for the evening’s council meeting so the applicants do not wait through the entire meeting for a decision.
Ending: Both facade grant applications were placed on the consent agenda; payment and final disbursement remain contingent on completion of required historic-preservation reviews and presentation of invoices before the city issues funds.
