EDA hears grant updates
Published 10:06 pm Wednesday, August 13, 2014
The Economic Development Authority on Wednesday heard updates on two façade grants in the city’s downtown area.
The authority’s façade grant program gives 50 percent of the cost, up to a $10,000 grant per building, for improvements that spruce up the look of buildings in certain areas, including downtown, the villages and the city’s entry corridors.
At 104 N. Saratoga St., a building with four storefronts owned by Ralph Nahra and Andy Damiani has undergone several changes recently, including new windows, doors and masonry repair.
The project cost $20,000, so a $10,000 grant was given.
Over at 811 W. Constance Road, the RideTime building got façade redesign that included stucco, a new roof and new paint. It cost more than $89,000, so the façade grant totaled $10,000.
Kevin Hughes, the city’s economic development director, said the façade grant program is popular among local businesses.
“We’ve got a good list of success stories throughout the city,” he said. “We’ve really opened up the opportunity for commercial buildings to take advantage.”
About $87,400 currently is reserved for projects ongoing at 10 buildings, including seven that are attached to each other on West Washington Street. Monument Construction is renovating the old retail buildings to include retail space on the street level and loft apartments above.
The other projects currently ongoing are at 242 and 244 Carolina Road and 201 Hall Ave.