McMinnville officials have unanimously passed a resolution that could lead to securing a grant for $25,000 to be used to help downtown property owners make improvements to their properties.
The grant is being applied for by Main Street McMinnville from the Community Development Block Grant Program, one of the longest continuously run programs at HUD. As part of the grant requirements, officials had to pass a resolution to show their support.
If awarded, the grant will be divided into smaller grants for downtown property owners and awarded to property owners through Main Street McMinnville’s Design Committee, which works in conjunction with the city of McMinnville’s Historic Zoning Commission to improve downtown.
“We’re really excited about this grant,” said Design Committee chairwoman Rachel Killebrew. “It will go a long way to helping property owners make improvements to their properties. We have high hopes for getting this grant.”
Local grants will be given for facade, awning, safety and backdoor access. Killebrew says the backdoor grants will be offered to encourage downtown businesses to provide customers with parking behind their business with a back entrance into the building.
“There is a perception that there is no parking downtown,” Killebrew said. “Actually, we have a tremendous amount of parking, but it’s in the back. If we can get property owners to install rear entrances, that will open up a lot of parking and get rid of the perception.”
If the $25,000 grant is awarded, the funds will be used in 14 local grants — five $1,900 grants for backdoor entrances, two $1,900 grants for safety, five $1,900 grants for facade, and two $1,100 awning grants. All grants will require a match from the property owners.
With the city’s resolution, Main Street McMinnville can now apply for the grant.