Middletown approves ARPA money for downtown business improvements
Contributed
Proposed streetscape improvements in Middletown.
Contributed
Proposed streetscape improvements in Middletown.
Downtown businesses will get a boost from federal COVID-relief money for improvements through a matching-funds grant.
City officials last week approved an allocation of $300,000 in American Rescue Plan Act money for the program, which seeks to improve the appearance of the downtown business district and assist small businesses.
“Owners of downtown commercial properties have been affected by the economic disruption of COVID. The proposed project will create a matching fund program to help property owners in the downtown commercial area improve their exterior building facades which face the street, with projects ranging from new awnings or storefront treatments, to lighting, painting, windows
and other types of beautification or maintenance needs,” the application reads.
The city and task force is working with the Downtown Business District. The program would provide 75% of the project costs, with property owners paying the balance. The project area would include buildings facing Main Street, and commercial buildings on side streets, from Hartford Avenue to Union Street, and deKoven Drive to Broad Street.
Business owners had until mid-June to submit grant applications, and the funds were approved last week. The ARPA Task Force will review applications and make recommendations to the Common Council, which will consider projects on a rolling basis, said Middletown General Counsel and Task Force Chairman Brig Smith.
“The purpose of this matching fund program is to provide resources for exterior projects that may have been deferred and which affect the appearance and prospects of surrounding businesses as well as the proposed building.”
There will be no maximum or minimum amount of money granted; rather, each project will be considered for its size and relevance to downtown revitalization. Applications will be reviewed by a design professional with downtown expertise.
Preference will be given to projects that plan to use local contractors and suppliers, and which are determined to have the greatest impact on the overall streetscape and character of the historic downtown, according to the application.
Officials expect to fund at least 10 projects with the matching funds, Smith said.
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