Residents press commission on Lewis House spending and urge broader facade-grant eligibility

Several residents and business owners used public comment on Dec. 1 to press the Longwood City Commission about how the city uses limited funds for historic-property work and downtown storefront improvements.

James Larry Howard told the commission he was skeptical of spending on the Lewis House and suggested money might be better used to help fill vacant commercial spaces or support public safety. “I just don't see where it'd be beneficial to Longwood because we got plenty of them,” Howard said during his three-minute public comment.

Commissioner McMillan told the public that the commission previously voted down an expenditure of about $120,000 to renovate the Lewis House for private use and emphasized the city's view that the property will be used for public benefit and local jobs. “We're not spending that money and putting it into a private use,” McMillan said, noting the property remains a city structure.

Tessa Boyd, a local small-business owner, asked the commission to reconsider the façade grant program and expand eligibility beyond restaurants and coffee shops so more types of small businesses can seek exterior-improvement funding. Commissioner Morgan and others signaled support for exploring the change and the commission asked the city manager to prepare a report on the program's history, how the $30,000 annual allocation has been used, and whether funds remain this fiscal year.

City Manager said he will return with a discussion item and a formal report on program spending and options for expanding eligibility. The commission did not take immediate action on the façade program during the meeting; it directed staff to follow up at a future meeting.