CEDC told hearing on new facade program

The Clarendon Economic Development Corporation Board will hold a public hearing next Monday, February 5, to get feedback on a new plan to help restore and preserve the historic look of downtown properties.

The Historic Façade Grant Program as it is proposed would award grants of up to 80 percent of the actual, eligible costs up to a maximum amount of $400 per linear foot of the storefront (i.e. $10,000 for a 25-foot storefront or $20,000 for a 50-foot storefront).

According to the proposal, the purpose of the new program is to preserve and cultivate the historic character of the Central Business District of Clarendon, Texas, with a special emphasis on the 100, 200, and 300 blocks of South Kearney Street; the 100 and 200 blocks of South Sully Street; and commercial properties directly adjacent to the Courthouse Square.

The program specifically seeks to promote the historic look of downtown as it appeared between 1890 and 1927.

The Historic Façade Program is designed to promote the continued use and maintenance of historic commercial and multi-use properties in the central business district by helping property owners rehabilitate and preserve eligible structures.

Eligible project costs include the following: reconstruction, rehabilitation and preservation of the façade, façade cleaning, professional and consultant fees, tuck pointing, painting, and renovation or replacement of exterior lighting, signage, awnings, sidewalk, curbing, accessibility, or other similar improvements.

Each applicant would have to meet certain criteria and submit detailed plans for their project for the CEDC board’s approval, and any change in the plans would have to be approved by the board.
Unlike the CEDC’s 2008 Façade Grant Program, which was available year-round, the new Historic Façade Grant Program applications would be considered once annually and would be scored against other applications.

The complete 2018 Historic Façade Grant Program proposal is available online at ClarendonTX.com/cedc.

For more information, the public is encouraged to attend the hearing next Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room of City Hall.

Those who cannot attend Monday’s meeting are encouraged to send their comments to CEDCsecretary@gmail.com or by mail to Clarendon Economic Development Corporation, PO Box 826, Clarendon, TX 79226.