Title
New Business - Consider Approval of a Historic Facade Preservation Funding Request to be Funded Through the Downtown Revitalization Grant Program
Requested Action
To consider the approval or denial of a Historic Facade Grant Program Application to be funded by the Downtown Revitalization Program Grant Fund and if approved, determine the amount of funding to be awarded.
Recommendation
To approve the Historic Downtown Revitalization Subcommittee's recommendation to approve a grant request for $25,000 for the restoration of the historic facade using existing and similar bricks as described in the Frontier Waterproofing estimate.
Description/History
In 2021 the City Council and Historic Landmark Commission passed a resolution creating the Historic Mansfield Facade Grant Program designed to preserve the City’s cultural heritage through the restoration, rehabilitation, and/or reconstruction of historic buildings and subsidize the costs associated with historic preservation and building improvements.
In the summer of 2022, BCB Transport began the improvement project of removing the stucco from the exterior facade of 115 N. Main Street. There are records that reference this building, which was the original town hardware store and Maple Drug Store, that date back to 1890. This building was one of the first establishments constructed in Mansfield, and may be the oldest standing building in Mansfield. In later years, the historic brick facade was covered with an exterior stucco. BCB Transport has received construction quotes for the removal and rehabilitation of the 100+ year old bricks to restore the original brick facade of 115 N. Main Street. They are seeking cost participation from the Downtown Revitalization Program Grant Fund in the amount of $25,000.
Justification
The facade program’s funding source is Hotel Occupancy Tax Funds. However, HOT funds were not awarded to the grant program for FY2022. The program supports the Downtown Development Strategies, which includes goals associated with historical and cultural heritage preservation and facade improvement. The FY2022 Downtown Revitalization Grant Fund has funds available to participate in cost-sharing for the project. The application is being brought for consideration by the City Council to determine if an exception may be approved for the funding source of this application.
The Historic Downtown Revitalization Subcommittee met on September 19, 2022 to consider the facade restoration grant request made by BCB Transport and recommended consideration by the City Council for the amount of $25,000 for the restoration of the historic facade using existing and similar bricks as described in the Frontier Waterproofing estimate.
Funding Source
Downtown Revitalization Grant Fund
Prepared By
Nicolette Ricciuti
Historic Downtown Mansfield Coordinator
817-276-4264