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Lake City CRA opens expanded façade grant program; $250,000 expected, $25,000 cap per project
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Summary
At a March 2 Community Redevelopment Agency workshop, staff announced the expanded façade grant program is accepting applications, with an RFP for contractors open and an expected funding pool of about $250,000 (pending a $150,000 transfer); awards will be capped at $25,000 per project.
The City of Lake City Community Redevelopment Agency on March 2 opened applications for an expanded façade grant program designed to help businesses within the CRA district repair and improve storefronts.
Scott, a CRA staff member, told the board the program approved at the prior meeting is now active on the city website and that procurement has issued a vendor request for proposals. "Applications open today," Scott said, and reported early interest in the RFP: "So far, 262 people have viewed that. 21 are following it. 24 contractors have actually downloaded the information." He said the vendor solicitation closes on the ninth.
City Manager Rosenthal said the city plans to boost the program’s initial funding. "We plan to transfer a 150,000 to make the total of 250,000," Rosenthal said, but added that the transfer has not yet occurred and will be placed on a future agenda for formal action.
Board members pressed staff on whether earlier expressions of interest — including conversations in October — would be prioritized. Scott and Rosenthal said those earlier submissions occurred before the program was formally launched on March 1 and requested that those parties reapply using the new packet; staff said it would help those applicants transfer their previously provided information into the new application.
On award size and matching, Scott said the program "caps the amount that we will give to $25,000" per project while allowing applicants to contribute additional funds toward larger projects.
Staff described an outreach plan that includes posting application forms on the city website, sending materials to those who asked for documents, posting signs, and personally notifying the two people who raised earlier interest in October.
The board did not take a final funding transfer vote at the workshop; Rosenthal said the transfer and related budget action are expected on an upcoming agenda. Staff said it will present the fully developed program and a procurement update at a future meeting, and that staff will begin scoring or reviewing applications so the program can move forward without delay.
The CRA adjourned the workshop and moved on to the city council meeting agenda.
