Oswego trustees direct staff to broaden eligible facade grant items, cap parking-lot awards

Kevin, a village staff member, presented proposed clarifications to the Economic Development Incentive Award grant program and asked the board which maintenance items should be eligible for funding.

The board’s discussion centered on whether to limit awards to permanent, visible facade and structural work or to also allow routine maintenance such as parking-lot sealcoating and exterior painting. Kevin said the program “goes back to 2014,” was expanded in 2018 to include interior and exterior improvements, and that the Economic Development Commission recommended allowing some maintenance items but with a cap.

Why it matters: The grant program is intended to “enhance downtown real estate,” according to Kevin’s presentation. Trustees said they want to preserve the program’s focus on improvements that remain with the property after a tenant leaves while also avoiding rapid depletion of the village’s grant fund on repeatedly recurring maintenance needs.

Key board guidance and program mechanics

- Truste…