Westminster commission approves up to $19,049 facade grant and 10% historic tax credit for 205 East Main St.

The Westminster Historic District Commission on March 5 approved awarding up to $19,049 from the city’s facade improvement program and granted a pre-construction certificate for a 10% historic tax credit — up to $8,924.40 — for exterior rehabilitation work at 205 East Main Street.

The vote came after staff presented the application and two contractor estimates and after the applicant confirmed the scope. Melissa Thorne, city historic preservation staff, told the commission that the facade program derives from a $150,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and that $130,951 of those funds had already been reserved for four prior projects, leaving $19,049 available for new awards.

The application, submitted by Brown Plus on Feb. 7, 2025, requests a matching grant for exterior repairs to stop moisture intrusion, including removal and repair of damaged EIFS (exterior insulating finishing system), installation of flashings and sealants where EIFS meets windows and doors, localized replacement of sheathing, application of EPS foam and a new base coat with fiber mesh, and repainting of trim and dentil molding. Two contractor estimates were in the packet: JFJ and Sons Construction Restoration and Remodeling LLC and Tackett (Thackett) Construction Inc.; the applicant authorized JFJ and Sons to perform the work.

Commissioners discussed wanting confirmation of the substrate under the existing stucco/EIFS during demolition. Commissioner Grace Kelly Lawler said it would be “important for the record” to know if the substrate is brick, cinder block or other material; commissioners agreed to require documentation of what is exposed during removal as a condition for final approval and disbursement of funds. Thorne said the project is a pre-construction approval; after work is complete the commission will review final costs and award amounts.

Votes and motions recorded in the meeting packet and minutes show the commission made the following motions and approvals related to the application:

- Motion that the property is eligible and the proposed work qualifies as eligible work (mover: Miss Spady; second: Commissioner Grace Kelly Lawler). Passed by unanimous voice vote.

- Motion that the submitted contractor estimates are reasonable for the proposed work (mover: not specified; second: Kathy Beatty). Passed by unanimous voice vote.

- Motion to approve awarding the remaining facade improvement funds (up to $19,049) for the 205 East Main Street application to support exterior restoration per the JFJ and Sons proposal (mover: Kathy Beatty; second: Grace Kelly Lawler). Passed by unanimous voice vote.

- Motion to grant a pre-construction certificate of eligibility for a 10% historic tax credit based on the eligible project cost, with a certificate amount not to exceed $8,924.40 to JFJ and Sons Construction Restoration and Remodeling LLC. The commission approved the certificate by voice vote; mover/second not specified in the minutes.

Thorne told the commission the applicant estimates a project start of April or May 2025 with completion in October or November 2025 and reiterated that the final tax-credit award will be calculated after submission of final project costs at project closeout.

Background and next steps

The facade improvement program is administered at the city level using the DHCD grant; awards are subject to city review and subsequent review by the Maryland Historical Trust as part of the DHCD process. Thorne said the commission would receive a final post-construction report and itemized costs once the work is complete; commissioners also asked that the contractor or applicant record the demolition/removal process and submit photographs or other documentation showing the substrate exposed under the existing stucco before final payment. The commission’s pre-construction certificate allows the applicant to proceed with work under the approved scope, and the final award amounts will be set at post-construction review.

Quotes and contractors

The application included two contractor estimates from licensed firms; JFJ and Sons Construction Restoration and Remodeling LLC was authorized by the applicant to perform the work. The staff report and packet list the other bid as Tackett (Thackett) Construction Inc.

Commissioners and staff present at the meeting who spoke on the item included Chair Chris McMaster; Commissioners Grace Kelly Lawler, Kathy Beatty and Miss Spady; and historic preservation staff Melissa Thorne. The applicant was represented by Deb Brown of Brown Plus.

The commission’s packet and staff report note the program’s funding levels and the requirement that awards be consistent with the program criteria: extent of historic preservation, estimated increase in property value, percentage of private to public investment, project timeline and whether the applicant is a first-time grantee.

Ending

The project now has pre-construction approval and a certificate to proceed; staff will monitor progress, require the demolition/substrate documentation requested by the commission, and return to the commission with a post-construction cost report to finalize tax-credit and grant awards.