Freeport council approves seven downtown façade grants after Historic Preservation recommendations

Freeport City Council on Monday approved seven façade improvement grants recommended by the Historic Preservation Commission, allocating a total of roughly $57,653 to downtown property rehabilitation projects drawn from an expanded $60,000 program funded by the downtown TIF.

The grants, presented by Director Heimerdinger, cover: West Wing at 2 West Spring Street ($15,000); 13 East Stevenson Street (Tricore insurance property, $2,500); 22 East Exchange Street (art museum storefront work, $5,601.50); 2–6 East Stevenson Street (tuckpointing, $10,000); 1 West Main (lighting and awning, $7,979.50); 27 South State (awning/canopy, $1,572); and 21 South Chicago Avenue (exterior work, $15,000). Heimerdinger said the program’s original budget was $30,000 but unspent prior‑year funds increased available allocation to $60,000 so the commission advanced the highest‑scoring applications.

Alderman Stacy pushed for the items to be delayed for additional Committee of the Whole discussion and said, “I would like to hear the discussion on all of them and I would like to have it moved to the cow for further discussion.” Council members and staff responded that the Historic Preservation Commission conducted the review and scoring, that memos and agreements had been posted in advance, and that council members are welcome to attend commission meetings. After debate, the council approved each resolution by roll call; several votes were recorded 6–1 with Alderman Stacy the sole dissent on multiple items.

The council and staff said the grants are intended to leverage private investment and preserve historic character while enabling adaptive reuse (for example, West Wing’s plan to convert upper floors to apartments while retaining commercial space at street level). Director Heimerdinger noted the grants typically fund up to 50% of eligible costs, capped at the program limit.

What’s next: the approved grant agreements will be executed and applicants may proceed with their eligible exterior work per the terms posted with each application. Alderman Stacy said she will continue to review commission materials and encouraged more pre‑council discussion on future rounds.

Votes at a glance: each of the seven individual façade grant resolutions was approved by roll call as recorded in the meeting minutes; the most common roll‑call pattern in the transcript showed six ayes and one no (Alderman Stacy) on multiple resolutions.