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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Awarding Downtown Facade Grants for Fall Fiscal Year 2024/25RESOLUTION NO. 24-682 RESOLUTION AWARDING DOWNTOWN FAÇADE GRANTS FOR FALL FISCAL YEAR 2024/25 FOR THE CITY OF AMES, IOWA WHEREAS, the Downtown Facade Grant Program was introduced in 2000 to facilitate private improvements to downtown retail and other commercial storefronts. The City Council now annually budgets $75,000 as matching funds for eligible projects. The program has allowed for up to $23,000 of dollar-for-dollar matching funds per front facade and up to $2,000 for additional architectural services for standard facade grants. The program allows for the fall round an opportunity for a Historic Rehabilitation Grant of up to $23,000; and, WHEREAS, in September 2024, City Council directed staff to prepare additional program updates for rear facades and historic building maintenance to be available for the spring 2025 facade grant round of funding. For the 2024/25 fiscal year, the balance of the Downtown Facade program is $179,665; and, WHEREAS, three grant requests are under consideration for this round of funding. The first application is from Ames Silversmithing, 220 Main Street. The owners of recently purchased 218 Main Street to expand the business. Their plan is to demolish 218 Main Street and build an addition to 220 Main Street with a façade along Main Street that will match the existing façade; and, WHEREAS, the second application is from Great Harvest Bakery and Café, 502 Burnett Avenue. The applicant is requesting $20,000 to modify the façade with the addition of stone, an altered roof line, and awnings. This facade is considered an "other" and not a traditional Main Street style storefront for consistency with Design Guidelines; and, WHEREAS, the third application is from the owner of 409 Douglas Avenue, a contributing property to the Ames Main Street National Register Historic District and maintains its historic integrity of original building materials and architectural design features. The owner is requesting funds to remove the historic transom windows and replace them with frosted/translucent glass, a similar treatment to other buildings that replaced filled-in transoms. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa, that Downtown Façade Grants for Fall Fiscal Year 2024/25 are hereby approved as follows: • 220 Main Street for $15,960 in estimated eligible costs for a new façade plus an additional $2,000 for design fees for a total of $17,960. • 502 Burnett Avenue for $18,000 in estimated eligible costs for façade modifications plus an additional $2,000 for design fees for a total of $20,000. • 409 Douglas Avenue for $21,825 in estimated eligible costs for transom window replacement plus $2,000 for design fees for a total of $23,825 with no additional conditions. ADOPTED THIS 17th day of December, 2024. _________________________________ ___________________________________ Renee Hall, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor Introduced by: Gartin Seconded by: Corrieri Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Corrieri, Gartin, Junck, Rollins Voting nay: Betcher Absent: None Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 17th day of December, 2024.