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EDA discusses facade design guidance and limits on public spending for private storefront improvements
Summary
The board discussed design guidelines and a policy that would govern any use of public resources for private facade improvements; staff said a draft policy and design guide will be prepared and that informal, no‑cost design support could be available while policy is developed.
Members discussed how to help downtown business owners pursue facade and awning updates while protecting public resources and avoiding unintended private subsidies. Board members said some business owners want help making aesthetic updates; staff cautioned that spending public dollars on private property requires clear policy and public‑purpose justification.
"Now that the architectural standards are in place … I do have some draft policy work that's gonna get into the EDA here in '25 to start looking at," staff said. Several members encouraged informal design help from a beautification group or volunteer designers as a no‑cost first step; staff said a formal policy and a sample case (pilot facade improvement) would be brought forward once drafted to ensure compliance with public‑purpose rules.
The board discussed tradeoffs — such as whether facade improvements could raise property taxes for owners who invested in upgrades — and asked staff to examine grants, volunteer design resources (possible university partnerships) and policy language to ensure equitable access before committing funds.
