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Weatherford board approves multiple facade grants, denies several applications and records one withdrawal
Summary
At a regularly scheduled meeting, the Weatherford Economic Development Board approved several facade and site-improvement grants totaling multiple awards, denied two applications that failed to meet policy requirements, and noted one restaurant-incentive application was withdrawn.
The Weatherford Economic Development Board on Monday approved multiple facade-improvement and site-improvement grants for downtown properties, denied two applications for failing to meet program policy, and recorded the withdrawal of a restaurant incentive application.
Ashley Seiler, director of economic development for the city of Weatherford, said the grant program aims “to help restore and preserve historical buildings in our charming downtown” and described staff recommendations for six facade grants that together sought about $260,155.69. Seiler told the board the annual incentives budget is $1,000,000, with roughly $300,000 already allocated to prior restaurant incentives.
The board voted unanimously to approve a facade grant for Barcelona Homes at 118 Houston Avenue in an amount not to exceed $8,460 after a motion from John Hiddon and brief clarifying questions about how staff calculates the city share of a project. On item 3B, the board voted unanimously to deny the site-improvement request for 124 York Avenue — now home to Arts and Letters bookstore — after staff reported the work was completed before the application met the council and board review steps.
On item 3C, the board discussed a $60,875 request for Heritage Brand at 120 West Spring Street. Members raised concerns about cost documentation and the absence of competitive bids; one member called the submitted cost breakout “a guess.” The board denied the Heritage Brand request unanimously.
The board approved a $66,600 grant for the Bennett Building (110–112 Houston Avenue). Staff said local contractors Tony Aaron and others plan to power-wash and preserve brick, replace second-story windows and add exterior lighting to market the building’s roughly 10,000 square feet for retail or restaurant use.
Two Cotton Bratton items drew extended discussion. For 14 College Avenue (item 3E), staff recommended an adjusted reimbursement after excluding tenant signage as ineligible; the board approved the adjusted amount (about $6,274.88). Members also noted safety concerns about a leaning awning and said ineligible items would be subtracted from the request. For 117 College Avenue (item 3F), the board approved the requested $84,320.70 for comprehensive interior- and exterior-related facade work, including repairs to stucco, stained-glass elements and courtyard improvements. A separate restaurant incentive application for Cotton Bratton’s 113 College Avenue (item 3G) was withdrawn by the applicant.
Votes at a glance: - Minutes (July 19, 2024): approved, unanimous. - 3A Barcelona Homes (118 Houston Ave): approved, unanimous; up to $8,460. - 3B 124 York Avenue (Arts and Letters): denied, unanimous. - 3C Heritage Brand (120 W Spring St): denied, unanimous; staff cited insufficient bid documentation. - 3D Bennett Building (110–112 Houston Ave): approved, unanimous; up to $66,600. - 3E Cotton Bratton (14 College Ave): approved with ineligible items removed (tenant signage), unanimous; adjusted reimbursement $6,274.88. - 3F Cotton Bratton (117 College Ave): approved, unanimous; up to $84,320.70. - 3G Cotton Bratton (113 College Ave) restaurant incentive: withdrawn by applicant; no vote.
Seiler told the board staff will return for guidance if members desire policy changes. The meeting adjourned after a citizen-comment period and a request that staff bring recommendations back to the board for clearer application and documentation standards.
