Downtown board authorizes façade‑grant agreement for 434 East Mitchell Street

The Downtown Management Board voted to authorize its chair to sign a façade‑improvement grant agreement for 434 East Mitchell Street once required documents and approved drawings are submitted.

Downtown manager Amy Tweeden summarized the agreement and terms, saying the grant would cover “up to 30% of the façade improvement costs not to exceed $30,000,” require design drawings and estimates to be approved as Exhibit A, carry liability insurance of no less than $1,000,000 naming the city as additional insured, and require work to be completed within 365 days of signature with a limited extension option.

Board members discussed whether to wait for final drawings reviewed by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) before executing the agreement. Tweeden said she brought the item forward so the chair could sign the agreement once Exhibit A and other requirements were provided and approved, rather than risk delaying applicants. Gary moved to authorize the chair to sign the agreement once the required documents — including the certificate of liability insurance and approved construction drawings — are provided; a second was heard and the motion passed on a roll call.

The board stressed that approved drawings and insurance must be in place before the chair signs, and that completed façade work must be maintained for five years per the agreement. The authorization allows staff to avoid delaying projects if applicants receive their final approvals between meetings.

The board’s motion authorizes the downtown manager/chair to finalize the agreement consistent with the conditions discussed; no dollar changes to the grant cap were made at the meeting. The board did not discuss individual applicants by name during the vote.