City: Main Street program received state grant to help 17 downtown properties; city to act as pass-through

City staff told the council June 10 that the North Bend Main Street program has been awarded a competitive state grant to help address building-code and safety issues at 17 downtown properties. The city will serve as a pass-through for the funds, and staff said affected businesses will be required to provide a 30% match.

A staff member said the program was the result of collaboration among the State Fire Marshal, the local planning and building departments, the fire department and Main Street. The work will allow property owners and businesses to resolve code-enforcement items they otherwise could not afford or that their landlords would not address, the staff member said.

The staff member told the council the arrangement does not cost the city money: “we're the pass through. It does not cost the city anything.” He also said the grant work and the permitting process could position participating properties for tax-increment financing because they are in the urban renewal/permanent renewal district. Councilors were told the program was competitive and that the city hosted a local celebration for the recipients.

Staff did not provide a single clear dollar amount for the state grant in the council remarks; the transcript included unclear phrasing about the grant amount. The staff member said the grant will benefit 17 properties and that businesses will have a 30% match requirement as part of the program. The council was directed to the earlier work session for additional detail and was told the grant application and inspections had been part of a competitive process.