Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Revitalization topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
EDA weighs expanding downtown facade grants, opts for targeted owner outreach first
Summary
EDA members discussed broadening the facade improvement program to include HVAC and roof work but declined immediate expansion, directing staff to increase targeted outreach to building owners and reassess participation and parameters at the June meeting.
The North St. Paul City Economic Development Authority reviewed the downtown facade improvement program and debated whether to broaden eligible work to include rooftop HVAC units and roof repairs. Staff reported $200,000 had been set aside for the program and that two applications had been approved to date.
Members noted the program's $20,000 per-project cap and cautioned that including roofing or HVAC upgrades could quickly exhaust the fund. "We put initially $200,000 aside for the program," a staff facilitator said; board members asked for clear parameters if eligibility is expanded so the program would not be overwhelmed.
Rather than immediately expanding eligibility, the EDA directed staff to conduct targeted outreach to downtown property owners (some owners are not local or regularly in contact) including flyers, newsletter items and owner-contact work using tax records and building-owner lists. The board agreed to reconvene the issue at its June meeting to consider program adjustments based on owner interest and fund availability.
Members also discussed whether certain exterior maintenance, such as a failing retaining wall at the Du Building, could qualify under the program and asked staff to contact the property owner to explore eligibility and estimated costs. Staff noted that a retaining-wall project could exceed program limits and would likely require a larger commitment if pursued.
