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Council approves $27,278 in facade improvement grants for downtown properties
Summary
Belvidere planning staff recommended and council approved $27,278 in facade grants (funded from video gaming revenue) across seven properties to support historically appropriate downtown renovations.
The Belvidere planning staff recommended, and the Committee of the Whole approved, distributing $27,278 in facade-improvement grants funded by video-gaming revenue. Planner Gina Del Rose told the council that staff had notified 112 eligible property owners, received seven applications totaling $32,476.50, and recommended awards tied to project cost and historic appropriateness.
Del Rose said projects ranged from new windows and brickwork to signage. She explained the grant is a 50.5% reimbursement, so award amounts varied depending on total project cost and property size; in some cases staff recommended less than the requested $5,000 where project costs were smaller. The historic preservation commission prioritized historically appropriate renovations and staff presented a spreadsheet of recommended awards. The motion to approve staff recommendations for a total of $27,278 passed without recorded opposition.
Del Rose said the program limits awards to one grant per property every three years and that tax‑exempt properties may be eligible; she cited examples where the library and YMCA have been previous recipients.
