Commercial Properties Score Improvement Grants
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowSeven businesses in Evansville have received funding for façade improvements. The $200,000 block grant money will support projects at five restaurants, a bakery and a pawn shop. June 16, 2014
News Release
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (June 13, 2014) – Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and the Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD) are pleased to announce the first round of funding from the City of Evansville's new Facade Grant Program. The program, approved by Mayor Winnecke and the Evansville City Council, uses Community Development Block Grant funds to assist in improvements to commercial properties located in targeted areas of the city.
“The grants are designed to encourage increased economic activity and business expansion in 'focus areas,' which are defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as having 51 percent or more low to moderate income residents,” said Mayor Winnecke. “The goal is to promote job growth and assist business owners in helping to boost Evansville's neighborhoods.”
DMD Interim Executive Director Kelley Coures added, “The application process was widely publicized with an April 15th deadline. Twenty-four excellent applications were submitted. A panel of five community leaders and one DMD specialist reviewed the proposals and selected seven businesses to receive a total of $200,000 in grants to improve their structures.”
The Facade Grant Program recipients for spring and summer 2014:
-Lamasco Bar & Grill, 1331 W. Franklin St.
Project Total: $120,000
Grant: $50,000
-Zuki Japanese Restaurant, 222 Main St.
Project Total: $120,000
Grant: $50,000
-Bokeh Lounge, 1007 Parrett St.
Project Total: $100,000
Grant: $50,000
-Kirby’s Private Dining, 1113 Parrett St.
Project Total: $75,000
Grant: $37,500
-Piece of Cake, 210 Main St.
Project Total: $13,500
Grant: $6,750
-DiLegge's Restaurant, 607 N. Main St.
Project Total: $12,857
Grant: $2,857
-Goldman’s Pawn Shop, 107-109 SE 4th St.
Project Total: $5,785
Grant: $2,893
The committee selected the businesses based on their proposals' vibrancy, ability to leverage other funds, and the impact on the surrounding neighborhood. Two alternates were also selected in the event a chosen grant recipient decides not to pursue the project.
“DMD will work closely with these seven businesses to begin the funding process and start their improvement projects this summer,” Coures said.
Source: The City of Evansville