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Highland Park council green-lights business improvement grants after debate over competitive bidding and earmarks
Summary
Council approved exterior improvement grants for Matchmaker Bookshop and CRG Ravinia LLC but debated competitive-bidding requirements and whether setting aside $100,000 for one applicant would limit other businesses' access to grant funds in 2026.
The Highland Park City Council on Dec. 15 approved multiple exterior improvement grants and debated procurement and budget impacts. Item 3 (an exterior improvement grant for Matchmaker Bookshop at 1891 2nd Street) passed on a unanimous recorded vote after councilmembers questioned why the business had not obtained two competitive bids. Staff responded the owner had already begun a more-than-$500,000 build-out and that grants are reimbursed on submission of receipts; staff advised applicants to obtain two bids when feasible.
Separately, the council considered exterior grants for CRG Ravinia LLC…
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