Fiscal Note
The 2009 Adopted Operating Budget for the Capital Revolving Fund authorizes $125,000 for Facade Improvement Grants. This Resolution awards grants totaling $48,506. Following approval of this Resolution, $3,356 of authorized 2009 funding will remain for future projects.
Title
Approving Facade Improvement Grant to: 2 South Mills Street (Hong Kong Café), 2201 Regent Street (LaMop Hair Studio) and 2215 Atwood Avenue (Guitar Shop of Wisconsin).
Body
On February 3, 2004, the Common Council adopted Resolution ID # 61179, approving the Facade Improvement Grant Program to support and encourage small local businesses to reinvest in the downtown and smaller, neighborhood shopping and business areas and designating the Community Development Authority as the agent of the City for the operation and administration of the Program. The grants are matching grants and will be provided in an amount up to 50% of the total project costs up to a maximum of $10,000 for a single facade, $20,000 for a building with two facades, and $25,000 for a "flatiron" building. The objective of the Program is to restore, or substantially beautify, or enhance the entire facade or elevation of a commercial building. The Facade Improvement Grant Program Staff Team has reviewed the following façade improvement proposals and has determined that they meet the requirements of the Program. The Urban Design Commission has reviewed these proposals and recommends design approval.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Common Council does hereby approve the following facade improvement grants:
1. 2 South Mills Street: Hong Kong Café
Façade work involves major masonry restoration, new lighting that fits with the history and architecture of the building; and removal of awning and existing wood awning box and neon lighting.
This two-story red brick commercial building has an interesting history as a Jewish grocery store. It is one of the very few buildings remaining that are associated with the Jewish community which lived in the historic Greenbush Neighborhood. Hong Kong Café is among the few remaining examples of the historic red brick buildings that used to populate the Regent Street corridor.
There are two facades: South Mills Street and Regent Street
A. Tuck point and repair brick as needed, including parapet rebuilding and soldier course resetting with new steel lintels as required.
B. Remove existing lighting and install new lighting that is in keeping with the history and architecture of the building.
C. Remove existing awnings
D. Remove existing wood freeze
E. Repaint panels with dark gray to mimic glass appearance
Total project cost is estimated at $45, 848.00
Facade Improvement Grant not to exceed $20,000.00
2. 2201 Regent Street: LaMop Hair Studio
Designed by La Crosse architects merman and Skogstad this two-story red brick Georgian Revival style building was constructed in 1929 as a group of four storefronts for C.E. Rupp, with offices and apartments above. Rupp's insurance agency was located on the second floor. First occupants of the storefronts included a pharmacy, grocery store and market.
There are two facades: Regent Street and Allen Street
Regent Street
A. Remove existing tenant projecting sign and elec. Conduit.
B. Install new lighting.
C. Install new signage.
D. Cover existing wood window trim and wood panel with prefinished (white) break metal.
E. Install new leaded glass window to match existing.
Allen Street
A. Replace totted wood cornice as required; crown mould shall match existing profile.
B. Clean and remove paint from brick; and tuck point brick mortar joints as needed.
C. Install new awning
D. Remove existing glass and install new insulated glass.
E. Paint all doors
Total project cost is estimated at $41,203.00
Facade Improvement Grant not to exceed $20,000.00
3. 2215 Atwood Avenue: Guitar Shop of Wisconsin
Façade work involves masonry restoration and renovation of the store front.
A. Remove and replace glass.
B. Repair and restore front door to its original state
C. Repair wooden storefront
D. Repair and restore brick
E. Remove and replace non-matching brick on side of building with brick that match building.
F. Install new signage
Total project cost is estimated at $17,012
Facade Improvement Grant not to exceed $8,506
Be It Further Resolved that the Mayor and City Clerk be and hereby are authorized to execute grant agreements with the grantees and any other documents necessary to complete these improvements.