More facade grants approved for downtown

Brenda Brown

Nov. 4, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Thanks to Main Street facade improvement grants, four downtown building owners will split more than $20,000 to improve the exteriors of the properties.

Fallon Burns, Main Street manager, said the Design Committee approved $20,393 worth of grants for improvements during a meeting held Monday night.

The grants are 50/50 matching grants, meaning every dollar the committee awards will be matched by the property owners. Burns noted the grants are reimbursable, meaning the owners are will complete and pay for all improvements, submit their invoices and then expect their money once the Main Street board, Design Committee and Burns inspect and approve.

Those receiving facade improvement grants are: -- W.J.S. Investments/Winter Elder will receive an $8,294 grant to make improvements to "The Corner Building" located at the corner of East Main and North Kilgore streets. The property currently houses On Second Thought on North Kilgore Street, and five businesses on East Main, Trendsetters, Angel's Home Health Care, Rosie's Creations, Gold Star Finance and What's Ur Occasion. The grant will be used for new paint, plaster work, and awning removal and replacement.

-- T.J. Jones, owner of the building at 300 E. Main that presently houses Born Again second- hand store, will receive a grant worth $7,774. Burns said the property is a "huge building with a three-story 'tower' on the back" and improvements will include painting the bottom story and replacing several broken windows.

-- Larry Long, owner of the building that houses El Super Mercado Lupita, 208 E. Main, will receive a $3,125 grant. The money will be used to remove the existing orange paint from the building to expose the "beautiful brick" underneath, Burns said.

-- Martha Fertitta, owner of Main Street Flowers and Gifts, 212 E. Main. Burns said her $1,200 grant will be used to paint the front of the building the "downtown tan" color, paint the awning black and paint the address numbers red.

Burns said the city council allotted $38,000 for facade improvements for the 2009-10 fiscal year which began Oct. 1. Last year councilmen gave $40,000 and every penny was spent on facade improvements.

"We still have some money left over so we're still accepting applications for grants," she said.

The Main Street manager praised the city council for its support of downtown improvements.

"A pretty and busy downtown attracts more businesses to town and it generates pride in the community. When the Kilgore EDC (Economic Development Corporation) tries to attract businesses here, we want them to take these people downtown to show the city is a wonderful place to live and it has a great quality of life, including the downtown business district," Burns said.

Main Street Design Committee members are Burns, Carl Clower, Wanda Bittick, Sue Brown, Virginia Long, Carmel McElyea, B.J. Owen and Susie Merritt. Burns said Merritt abstained on the vote for the Winter Elder property because she is Elder's daughter.

Main Street board members are: Amber Abell, president; Sue Brown, design chair; Carol Hinton, chamber representative; B.J. Owen, city manager representative; Harvey McClendon, city council representative; Amanda Nobles, KEDC representative; Denise Reinert, business owner; Gerald Stanglin, public sector representative; Patsy Davis, business owner and downtown building owner; and Bill Woodall, vice president and building owner.

For information about facade grants or the Main Street program, call Burns at 903- 988-4117 or drop by her office at city hall.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0437-39449065