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Milton council reviews downtown improvement grants for Exchange Hotel, law firm and new boxing gym
Summary
Council members heard several downtown grant requests including the Exchange Hotel's exterior restoration, a $3,800 Willing Street Law Firm request (with $1,300 match), and a $1,000 downtown CRA request for Blackwater Boxing; staff recommended some items be placed on the consent agenda while others were left open for public comment.
During the work session the council reviewed multiple business improvement grant applications aimed at supporting downtown revitalization and historic preservation.
Richard (identified in the transcript as the Exchange Hotel applicant) described extensive exterior work and restorations, saying exterior work alone is "in the neighborhood now of about $2,829,000," and that grants would help the project with timing and prioritization. Staff told the council that the city presently has $40,000 available in the grant fund and that each application’s fiscal-impact summary shows award options (for example, $10,000 vs. $5,000 award scenarios).
The council agreed to keep the Exchange Hotel item off consent so members of the public could speak. For a separate applicant, Mr. Andrews of Willing Street Law Firm requested $3,800 for exterior work and signage with a $1,300 match; staff and council members recommended authorizing reimbursement up to $3,800, with payment tied to actual invoices, and indicated that item could go on consent.
Applicants Kenny and Kylie McCants said Blackwater Boxing LLC, a new community boxing gym at the downtown "Pink Building" on Caroline Street, sought $1,000 from the downtown CRA account for signage and storefront improvements; councilmembers supported moving that request to consent. Owner John Ellis — who identified himself as chair of the Historic Preservation Board — asked that combined grants for the Pink Building remain within per-building caps (standard $5,000, corner properties $10,000). Staff noted a recommended award of $3,412.50 for one of the Pink Building requests and suggested placing it on consent if no public objection was raised.
One councilmember disclosed a tenancy in a building connected to a grant applicant and said they would not participate in discussion about that item. Council members said they would review each project's invoices and require reimbursement only for completed, documented work.
No final appropriations were executed during the work session; several items were recommended for the consent agenda and one item (Exchange Hotel) was left for full council discussion during the regular meeting.
