To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
Through: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
From: Tara Vargish, PE, Director, Development Services
Julie Kirkpatrick, PLA, ASLA, Long Range Project Manager, Development Services
Title
Resolution Approving a Downtown Historic Preservation Grant for $25,000 to the Douglas Masonic Temple Association [Douglas Masonic Temple Association Located at 300 N. Wilcox St.]
Body
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Executive Summary
In November of 2020, Town Council adopted a new Downtown Historic Preservation Grant Policy. The purpose of the Town’s Downtown Historic Preservation Grant Program is to provide monetary assistance with rehabilitation and restoration of historic properties within the Downtown Overlay District (DOD) for exterior improvements. These grants are available up to 50% of the project cost up to $25,000. These funds are awarded to property owners within the DOD on a two-round, competitive basis as recommended by the Historic Preservation Board and approved by Town Council. Staff received no applications for the first round and received only one application for the second round, which closed on August 1, 2021.
The owners of the Douglas Masonic Temple Association building, located at 300 N. Wilcox Street (Attachment A), are requesting a downtown historic preservation grant to assist with the cost of the continuing window and door restoration (Exhibit 1). The Douglas Masonic Temple, formerly known as the First National Bank of Douglas County, is on the National Register of Historic Places and is locally landmarked. This downtown historic preservation grant request is for $25,000.
On September 1, 2021, the Historic Preservation Board voted 6-0 to recommend that Town Council approve this $25,000 grant request.
Budget Impact
Staff has not received any other downtown historic preservation grant applications for 2021 consideration. Therefore, the total 2021 budget of $50,000 is available and can accommodate this request for $25,000.
Staff Recommendation
On September 1, 2021, the Historic Preservation Board voted 6-0 to recommend that Town Council approve this $25,000 grant request.
Proposed Motion
“I move to approve the Resolution as introduced by title.”
Attachments
Attachment A: Vicinity Map
Attachment B: Resolution
Exhibit 1: Downtown Historic Preservation Grant Application
Attachment C: Downtown Historic Preservation Grant Policy