Columbia City Redevelopment Commission hears update on Facade Grant program
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Architect Theresa Ladd provides paperwork to members of the Columbia City Redevelopment Commission outlining the recent facade funding granted to CenturyLink in downtown Columbia City.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
On Tuesday, architect Teresa Ladd reported before the Columbia City Redevelopment Commission to discuss the current status of the Facade Grant program.
According to Ladd, the CenturyLink facade project is now complete, featuring a redesigned entry, awning and new windows. The project, including CenturyLink's match to the grant, exceeded $8000. Ladd requested that a grant check in the amount of $4047.47 be issued since the project is now complete. Ladd receives a $180 architectural administrative fee for overseeing each facade grant project, and the commission approved that payment as well Tuesday.
Ladd said there has been considerable rebirth in interest regarding the Facade Grant program in downtown Columbia City. Upon approval of a reasonable project and the submission of three bids for the work, an applicant can receive half of the funding to improve the facade of their building located in the Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district in downtown Columbia City. Grants awarded may total up to $5000 for approved projects that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but in keeping with the downtown area's historic feel.
"We've had some other interest shown," Ladd told the Redevelopment Commission, adding that proposed projects continue to be submitted by downtown business owners.
After a lull of several years without any Facade Grant requests, almost half a dozen requests have been received in the second half of 2010.
Ladd said two approved projects are still in process, including facade improvements at The Clugston and the building currently owned by Three Birds Casuals at the corner of Jackson and Chauncey Streets.
The Facade Grant committee is comprised of a past city council member, a representative from the Chamber of Commerce, a downtown business owner, an architect and a representative of the now defunct People Preserving History. The current representatives include Grace Lotter, Doug Brown, John Lefever and Teresa Ladd.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
On Tuesday, architect Teresa Ladd reported before the Columbia City Redevelopment Commission to discuss the current status of the Facade Grant program.
According to Ladd, the CenturyLink facade project is now complete, featuring a redesigned entry, awning and new windows. The project, including CenturyLink's match to the grant, exceeded $8000. Ladd requested that a grant check in the amount of $4047.47 be issued since the project is now complete. Ladd receives a $180 architectural administrative fee for overseeing each facade grant project, and the commission approved that payment as well Tuesday.
Ladd said there has been considerable rebirth in interest regarding the Facade Grant program in downtown Columbia City. Upon approval of a reasonable project and the submission of three bids for the work, an applicant can receive half of the funding to improve the facade of their building located in the Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district in downtown Columbia City. Grants awarded may total up to $5000 for approved projects that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but in keeping with the downtown area's historic feel.
"We've had some other interest shown," Ladd told the Redevelopment Commission, adding that proposed projects continue to be submitted by downtown business owners.
After a lull of several years without any Facade Grant requests, almost half a dozen requests have been received in the second half of 2010.
Ladd said two approved projects are still in process, including facade improvements at The Clugston and the building currently owned by Three Birds Casuals at the corner of Jackson and Chauncey Streets.
The Facade Grant committee is comprised of a past city council member, a representative from the Chamber of Commerce, a downtown business owner, an architect and a representative of the now defunct People Preserving History. The current representatives include Grace Lotter, Doug Brown, John Lefever and Teresa Ladd.