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Weatherford council debates future of downtown facade-grant program; motion to end program fails
Summary
Councilmembers and public commenters debated whether to pause or end the downtown facade-improvement grant program; a motion to cease the program immediately received no second and did not carry. Staff said FY25 allocations total $199,280.69 for five facades, with additional applications pending before the Economic Development Board.
The Weatherford City Council engaged in an extended discussion on Jan. 14 over the future of a facade-improvement grant program aimed at revitalizing the downtown central business district.
Ashley Seiler, director of economic development, told council the program’s purpose was to enhance curb appeal, increase commercial activity and support downtown revitalization. For fiscal year 2025, Seiler said the department allocated $199,280.69 to five facade projects and identified an additional set of applications amounting to $301,713.50 that were on the Weatherford Economic Development Board’s upcoming agenda.
Public commenters said the program helps preserve historic downtown buildings and keep properties safe. Contractor Jackie Fowler said the grants enable owners to repair century-old buildings and avoid hazards; Karen Mitchell spoke on behalf of a property owner seeking two facade grants for a downtown building.
Councilmember Smith argued the program’s citywide financial return is unclear and presented figures he said showed cumulative spending or obligations (he cited approximately $411,066.61) and roughly $700,000 in pending applications. Smith moved to end the facade-grant program immediately; council members questioned whether pending applications would be disqualified if the program were ended before Economic Development Board review. Staff and other council members urged caution, noting several applications had not yet been vetted by the Economic Development Board and that the program had been intended as a targeted, strategic tool.
The motion to cease the program received no second and therefore did not carry. Council members discussed tabling the policy for further data and suggested options including capping awards or retaining the program for strategic, larger projects. Mayor and staff emphasized that applications approved by the Economic Development Board would still come to council for final action.
No formal policy repeal or suspension took effect at the meeting. Staff said the Economic Development Board will continue to review pending applications and the council may revisit the program after receiving more detailed fiscal information and policy options.
