Livingston URA grants preapproval for Empire Theater facade work, pending invoices and second tile quote

The Livingston Urban Renewal Agency on April 22 preapproved a façade grant application for the Empire Theater, authorizing a not-to-exceed award of $47,110.78 — equal to 50% of the project cost — pending staff confirmation of eligible expenses and receipt of a second quote for tile installation.

The application was presented by Andrew, representing Bay Empire Theater. He said the project aims to restore historic marquee features, replace deteriorated glass tile and neon lighting, repaint the marquee, and otherwise return the building façade to its historic appearance. "We are trying to preserve certain things with icons that we love in the city," Andrew said in the meeting.

Agency staff clarified the grant program can fund up to 50% of eligible project costs and that the city typically requires two quotes for publicly funded reimbursements unless a second vendor cannot be found. Board members asked whether the existing neon lighting is obsolete and whether replacements would be energy‑efficient; Andrew said the historic neon is decades old and likely will be replaced with contemporaneous neon-style solutions, and that vendors recommended by the applicant would handle the lighting package. The applicant said the neon vendor has a Billings location and earlier referenced a supplier "out of Helena."

Staff emphasized that the URA provides reimbursement after work is completed and paid. As a staff member put it during the meeting, "It's a total project reimbursement, pending paid receipts, paid invoices." The board therefore approved preapproval with conditions: staff must verify which line items are eligible under the façade grant rules and the applicant must submit a second tile‑installer quote before final award paperwork proceeds.

Board members discussed whether parts of the work (for example, the lighting) could begin while staff checks tile pricing; the agency left sequencing to staff and the applicant to coordinate with contractors and to avoid subcontractor conflicts. The grant award will be disbursed only after the URA receives paid invoices and receipts demonstrating the work is complete.

The motion carried with board members voting "aye." The URA clerk will file the second quote and final expense confirmation to authorize full payment when documentation is submitted.

Next steps: the applicant will provide a second quote for tile installation and clarifying documentation of eligible expenses; staff will confirm eligibility under the façade program and, if satisfied, process reimbursement when the project is complete and invoices are paid.