MONROE - The Monroe City Council Tuesday night unanimously approved the Monroe Main Street Facade Improvement Grant Program.
The program will provide downtown property or business owners with matching funds to restore buildings to their historic authenticity.
The grants are funded through the Tax Incremental Financing District #7 Fund. Monroe Main Street administers the applications.
Reimbursements cannot exceed 50 percent, up to a maximum of $10,000, of the total project fund, as long as funds are available. Store fronts that are larger than standard may qualify for an extra 25 percent, up to an additional $10,000.
Monroe Main Street and the city's Historic Preservation Commission worked together to create guidelines for the program.
City Administrator Mark Vahlsing called the guidelines "very generous" and told the Finance and Taxation Committee he had no concerns about them.
The guideline publication offers information to help keep building restoration and improvement in line with the character and history of Monroe's historic downtown business district, focusing on original architectural features.
Some expenses that qualify for funds include signs, awnings, windows, doors, light fixtures and repair, replacement or restoration of architectural elements.
Guidelines for eligible expenses are available at the city building inspector's office in City Hall or at Monroe Main Street office in the Wisconsin Community Bank.
Four applications have been picked up; none have been returned.
Finance and Taxation recommended approval of the program. Alderman Charles Schuringa was absent.
The program will provide downtown property or business owners with matching funds to restore buildings to their historic authenticity.
The grants are funded through the Tax Incremental Financing District #7 Fund. Monroe Main Street administers the applications.
Reimbursements cannot exceed 50 percent, up to a maximum of $10,000, of the total project fund, as long as funds are available. Store fronts that are larger than standard may qualify for an extra 25 percent, up to an additional $10,000.
Monroe Main Street and the city's Historic Preservation Commission worked together to create guidelines for the program.
City Administrator Mark Vahlsing called the guidelines "very generous" and told the Finance and Taxation Committee he had no concerns about them.
The guideline publication offers information to help keep building restoration and improvement in line with the character and history of Monroe's historic downtown business district, focusing on original architectural features.
Some expenses that qualify for funds include signs, awnings, windows, doors, light fixtures and repair, replacement or restoration of architectural elements.
Guidelines for eligible expenses are available at the city building inspector's office in City Hall or at Monroe Main Street office in the Wisconsin Community Bank.
Four applications have been picked up; none have been returned.
Finance and Taxation recommended approval of the program. Alderman Charles Schuringa was absent.