(Columbus) The Columbus City Council discussed revisions to a façade grant program at a recent committee of the whole meeting. The grant program is a fundamental part of helping revitalize downtown Columbus.
Director of Community and Economic Development Mike Kornmann says one of the big changes that could be made is to increase the project size dollar amount.
“Currently it is $1,000,” says Kornmann. “That doesn’t go very far today, and this program really, it’s a dollar-for-dollar match. So, if you put in $10,000 on a project, you can get a $10,000 grant back on a project.”
Kornmann says the current revision proposal by the Community Developmental Authority (CDA) would bump that amount to $25,000 dollars to incentivize larger and more impactful projects downtown. There is currently $32,500 dollars in the general fund budget for these potential projects. Alderwoman Molly Finkler wondered if the grant would be a one and done if someone were to spend all the money. Kornmann says it is a first come, first serve program.
“It gives the Community Development Authority [the] discretion,” says Kornmann. “They don’t have to give $25,000. It’s their discretion.”
The director of community and economic development says it is an up-to amount, and says the challenge is the possibility of going a full year without another project. He says that other tools to fund that program may be explored. If there is consistent funding and one façade improvement can be done a year, Kornmann says it would go a long way in helping rejuvenate downtown Columbus. City Administrator Matt Amundson:
“I think that’s the key, right?” says Amundson. “If we do start awarding someone $25,000, and then someone’s ready to apply for that funding, and now you’re seeing a $50,000 impact on a building in the downtown, it makes other business owners aware that it exists.”
The city administrator says that façade and TIF projects stacked together would create some improvement in the downtown. Alderman Michael Lawson says it is important to remember that this is also reimbursable.
“So, while it has to be approved up front, they actually have to spend the money and do the project and get reimbursed the match.”
The matter will be discussed further at the next council meeting.
