Agenda Date: December 19, 2016
Subject:
Title
Request to Extend Two 2015 Main Street Historic District Grant Awards.
Body
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Presented By: |
Dennis Swain, Senior Planner |
BACKGROUND:
On July 20, 2015, the Historical Preservation Board awarded four Main Street Historic District grants. Those grants included:
1) Historic Duplex $11,000 to replace the cedar shake siding on the second floor
2) Weston Masonic Lodge $20,000 to tuck point the south side of the lodge
3) Thomas Building $8,000 to replace the main feed electrical wiring
4) Littleton Electric $11,000 to replace the flat roof with a tapered roof
Of the four projects, those for the Weston Masonic Lodge and for the Littleton Electric building have been completed and, using funds from the Main Street Historic District Grant program, the owners have been reimbursed for a total of $30,320 in construction costs,
The other two projects have not yet been completed due to a combination of difficulties hiring contractors, getting those contractors to complete the work, and complications with permitting. The incomplete projects are for the Historic Duplex and the Thomas Building. The grant awards for these projects are $11,000 and $8,000, respectively, for a total of $19,000.
The invitation brochures for both the 2015 and 2016 grant programs contain the following language:
“Projects are to be completed within twelve (12) months of the award. Extensions may be approved by the board when there are compelling circumstances “
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Both property owners who have been unable to complete their projects have had difficulty finding contractors willing to respond to inquiries regarding their projects, visit the site, or agree to accept what are relatively small jobs in what continues to be an extremely active construction market. Both property owners have been good about checking in regarding the status of their projects and the difficulties and delays they have experienced. Despite these difficulties, both property owners have continued to pursue contractors and have made significant progress. In both cases, an extension promises to allow the completion of these projects.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of an extension of both grant awards until March 31, 2017.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
Due to compelling circumstances, I move to approve the extension of two awards from the 2015 Main Street Grant Program until March 31, 2017. These awards are 1) the award of $11,000 for replacing the cedar shake siding on the Historic Duplex at 2681 West Alamo and 2) the award of $8,000 for replacing the old main feed electrical wiring for the Thomas Building at 2400 West Main Street.