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North Magnolia CRA advisory committee approves two commercial facade grants
Summary
The advisory committee approved two commercial building-improvement grants for properties in the North Magnolia CRA, including one with a committee member’s recusal. Staff had recommended both awards.
On May 29, 2025, the North Magnolia CRA Advisory Committee approved two commercial building-improvement grants to properties within the CRA.
The committee approved CRA application CRE250021 for ABC Auto Body (applicant: Mark Schafer) at 41 Northeast Eighth Street. Staff said the project would replace a six-foot commercial-grade perimeter fence and repair the parking lot (pothole repair, reseal and restriping). The parcel is about 1.49 acres, the building dates to 1920 and is zoned M-1 (light industrial). Staff reported high and low contractor quotes of $25,781 and $23,348 and said the maximum CRA grant available under the program’s 50% match rule was $11,674. Based on the grant review, staff recommended approval and the committee adopted the recommendation by voice vote.
The committee also approved CRE250022 for Hirschberger Holdings, doing business as BJ’s Trophies, at 1735 Northeast Jacksonville Road. Marie Mezir, economic development specialist, told the committee the scope would include replacing ceiling sheetrock with vinyl and upgrading front-porch lighting. The parcel is roughly 0.54 acres, built in 1984 and zoned B-4 (general business). Staff reported high/low quotes of $8,997 and $7,716 and a maximum grant of $3,858 under the 50% match. Marie Mezir informed the committee that Floyd Hershberger, the applicant and an advisory-committee member, had completed conflict-of-interest documentation and recused himself from voting on the item. The motion to approve CRE250022 passed with the stated recusal/abstention.
Staff emphasized that both projects were eligible under the North Magnolia CRA commercial building-improvement grant program and that adequate funds were available to fund the awards.
Votes at a glance - CRE250021 (ABC Auto Body, 41 NE 8th St.): staff recommendation approved by voice vote (motion/second recorded in minutes). Vote tally recorded by voice; no roll-call vote recorded in the transcript. - CRE250022 (Hirschberger Holdings/BJ’s Trophies, 1735 NE Jacksonville Rd.): staff recommendation approved; applicant Floyd Hershberger recused/abstained prior to the vote.
Why it matters: The approved grants fund facade and visible exterior improvements that staff said align with the North Magnolia CRA plan’s emphasis on façade enhancement and corridor revitalization. The awards also demonstrate the committee’s standard conflict-of-interest procedure when a member is an applicant.
What’s next: Staff will process the award paperwork and monitor project completion timelines (staff estimated about 90 days to complete the ABC Auto Body project and about 30 days for the BJ’s Trophies work).
