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Chamber seeds $100,000 downtown improvement program; application details adjusted
Summary
The Chamber will fund $100,000 to launch a downtown Business Improvement Program. The committee discussed eligibility (roof repairs qualify if visible from the street), adding a total-project-cost line, and replacing a building-permit requirement with plan-commission approval when applicable.
The Joint Beautification/Lake, Parks, and Recreation Committee discussed a Chamber-funded Downtown Business Improvement Program May 19, including eligibility rules, application formatting, and timing for awards. The Chamber is providing $100,000 to start the program.
John Rassel, the Chamber representative, asked whether roof repair or replacement would qualify as a façade improvement. Co-Chairman Rachel Fuller said a roof that faces the street would qualify, but a flat roof would not. Committee members asked that the program title be added to the application and requested a total-project-cost line.
Member Chuck Mueller suggested removing a strict Building Permit Approval requirement; the committee agreed to instead require Plan Commission approval if applicable. Jeff Schultz (25 Hickory Dr.) asked whether there is a timeframe for applications and whether approved projects can be changed after approval. Fuller said the application mimics the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) application process: there are limited application windows and approved funds must be spent within a required timeframe, and any post-approval changes would require additional approval.
The committee did not take a final funding action at the meeting; the application language will be updated to reflect the requested changes and brought forward for subsequent review.
