April 19, 2024

City grants more than $36K to downtown improvements

By Jamee A

Featured on the left is the current store front on the buildings at 106 and 108 N. Second Ave. E. On the right is a rendering of a possible redesign for the buildings, funded in part by a downtown micro-grant through the City of Newton. (Submitted Photo)

Work to update and renovate downtown Newton continues with three new micro-grants awarded totaling more than $36,000. Buildings or businesses owned by Brandi Mace, Kayla Juni and Joann Kunkel will get a facelift with projects ranging from new signage to façade removal and renovation.

“The establishment of the micro-grant program encourages Downtown owners to reinvest in their property and business in accordance with the downtown historic district design guidelines,” interim city administrator Jarrod Wellik said.

The first project proposal comes from Mace for a major renovation to the buildings at 106 and 108 N. Second Ave. E. Work Mace plans to complete includes removal of old signage and the installation of new signage, removing non-historic façade on the two store fronts, a façade renovation at both the front and rear of the building, the installation of a new awning and paint work.

Mace took advantage of the free design services provided through the Main Street program to develop a new look for the store fronts. Currently, a non-historic front is on the building but through the redesign a more historic representation will be put in place. The downtown grant review board, which reviews each project, selects funding allotment and makes recommendations to city council, did put in a provision stating the designs are flexible due to the unknown nature of what is underneath the current covering.

The board recommended and council approved funds in the amount of up to $33,790 on the $84,785 project.

The second project approved is $321 to be used toward a new sign for Kayla’s Dance Company, owned by Kayla Juni. The sign will be located on the building at 128 1/2 N. Second Ave. E.

The project is receiving 1:1 matching funds for the work totaling $642.

The final project is a new awning and sign along the primary façade at 112 N. Second Ave. W.

“Historically knows as the Scharf building, the subject property is a two- story building reflective of the late Victorian Italiante style,” Wellik said. “The building is considered a contributing resource to the Newton Downtown Historic District and retains a very good level of historic integrity as it relates to design, materials, and workmanship. While many of the downtown commercial buildings were modernized in the 1950s and 1960s, the Scharf building retains its Victorian era character.”

The new awning will better align with what is historically appropriate for the building. The proposed sign will span 3 feet by 30 feet and be installed above the awning with a two foot projection.

For both the awning and sign, the board recommended at total of $2,425 or just less than half of the project cost of $5,307.

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