Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council reviews five property-improvement grant applications, staff recommends funding within budget
Summary
Staff recommended awarding up to five commercial property improvement grants (50% up to $50,000 each) to five applicants totaling about $139,500 against a $290,000 FY2025–26 allocation; council debated prioritization and outreach to potential applicants.
Staff presented summaries of five applications to the Washington Commercial Building and Property Improvement Grant Program and recommended redevelopment agreements for each. Applicants that scored above the threshold included Sleep Inn & Suites, the incoming Ben Franklin store, Cherry Tree Shopping Center, Countryside Banquet and Catering, and Russell Cycling and Fitness.
John told council that each qualifying application would be eligible for a grant equal to 50% of eligible costs, capped at $50,000 per project, and that the aggregate maximum exposure if all recommended amounts were approved would be about $139,500. Staff said the FY2025–26 budget allocated $290,000 for the program.
Council members split on prioritization. Some members supported awarding funds to projects that visibly enhance Business 24 (including Ben Franklin and Cherry Tree), while others favored approving all five awards or spreading funds to other applicants in future rounds. Members also discussed outreach: staff said they used email lists, a chamber e-blast, the city website and social media but acknowledged they do not have contact information for every property owner.
No formal approvals were recorded at the July 14 meeting; staff recommended moving the redevelopment agreements forward for final council action.
Next steps: staff will prepare redevelopment agreements for council approval and consider targeted outreach strategies for future program rounds.
