March 29, 2024

Projects proposed for Downtown Micro-Grants

Two Downtown Micro-Grant Program projects are on the agenda for Monday’s Newton City Council meeting. These are the first two projects for the program to go before the council for approval.

The first application was received by Shawn and Vicki Wade for their building at 201 First Ave. W. Projects for the building include new signage to better tie into the character of the building and painting panels that are located between brick areas of the building.

The Downtown Grant Review Board, the group charged with reviewing grant applications, approved as much as $695 for the signage and as much as $1,162 for the paint.

The second applications was submitted by J. Paul Sandholm for his building at 106 E. Third St. S. Sandholm plans to improve the historic facade of the building, including cleaning and repairing the masonry work and installing new windows and a new door. The windows and door will be restored to the original opening and provide a more historically accurate appearance.

The second portion of the project will have Sandholm painting the north and south brick wall surfaces the color that resembles the original color of the tile brick.

The review board approved up to $5,000 for the facade renovation and up to $1,500 for the paint work.

The Downtown Micro-Grant Program was established to encourage downtown owners to reinvest in their property and business in accordance with the Downtown Historic District Design Guidelines. A total of $100,000 was set aside for the program, provided by funds bonded in 2015.

Also before the council is a resolution to adjust the rates charged for ambulance service. Each year the ambulance rates are adjusted to align with Medicare rates.

To continue that practice, that rates will decrease by approximately .5 percent for the next year. The proposed reduction in charges for the services are based on 1.75 times the established Medicare rates.

The rates were last adjusted in February 2015.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com