Redevelopment board approves façade grant for new Windows and Door Store at 25430 West Newberry Road

The Redevelopment Agency on May 26 approved a commercial façade grant for a new Windows and Door Store tenant at 25430 West Newberry Road, approving up to 75% of final eligible expenses and a maximum award of $10,000, contingent on resolving building-department permitting issues and historic-district sign rules.

"So today, we have a commercial facade grant, for the windows and door store," said Chelsea Bekaitis, Community Redevelopment Agency coordinator, who presented the application and the cost estimates. Bekaitis said the applicant provided two quotes each for awnings and windows and will purchase the materials while performing labor without charging the CRA.

Bekaitis told the board the project estimate for the awning plus windows totaled $13,687.24, of which 75% equals $10,265.40; the program limit makes the applicant eligible for the $10,000 maximum award. She said the proposed exterior changes must still clear building-department permitting and historic-district review.

Members raised two implementation concerns: preserving any original historic windows and whether a business logo should appear on the new awning. A committee member said a logo on the awning could complicate future awning removal and preferred signage on the building or windows instead. Another member said the board could make the logo restriction part of the motion and condition approval on all inspections and permits passing.

A motion "to approve with the conditions/recommendations" was moved, seconded and approved unanimously. The approval was recorded with the condition that building-department issues be resolved and that historic-district signage rules be followed (the board discussed excluding the logo from the awning as a condition).