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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Historic Preservation Commission
DATE: February 5, 2024
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Authorizing Approval of the 2024 Historic Preservation Grants and Allowing the Mayor to enter into Historic Preservation Grant Agreements and Addendums (Legistar 24-0087 / KDWK-2023.410-PZ/HP JM)
PURPOSE:
Authorizing the execution of a Historic Preservation Grant Agreements with owners of properties within the historic districts or local landmarks to foster the continued preservation of Aurora’s historic neighborhoods and landmarks.
BACKGROUND:
In 2019, City Council approved a new Historic Preservation Grant Program. The Preservation Grant Program is a reimbursable grant for exterior historic rehabilitation projects. The maximum is $20,000. All grants at or under $10,000 require no cash match. All grants over $10,000 require a dollar-for-dollar cash match for every dollar over $10,000. The final $1,000 of the grant is additional funding for the use of local contractors. Properties must be owner-occupied and designated as historic within the City of Aurora and must meet all other eligibility requirements.
With some previous grants not being completed or completed under budget, the budget
authorization for 2024 is $327,000 in account 101-1840-463.50-43.
DISCUSSION:
Staff received 22 applications representing all four local districts, the National Register district, and Local Landmarks. The work is all exterior ranging from tuckpointing, window repair, siding repair, and painting to gutter replication and porch restorations.
On January 22, 2024, the Historic Preservation Commission reviewed the 22 applications submitted for the 2024 Historic Preservation Grant Program. Based upon the available funding, the Historic Preservation Commission ranked 14 applications as being deserving for funding and recommends those applications for approval by City Council. The remaining applications were either incomplete, did not adhere to the Historic Preservation Guidelines, or maintenance related projects that the Commission did not consider historic preservation projects. The remaining funds will go towards a second application round, which will allow homeowners who were unable to get cost estimates due to the high demand of contractors specializing in historic buildings another chance to apply.
As outlined in attached Proposed 2023 Historic Preservation Grants Recommendations, the following are recommended for approval:
1.) 108 N. View Street - Tanner - Porch Repair - $2,951
2.) 116 N. View Street - Tanner - Window Restoration - $6,402
3.) 219 N. Locust Street - Tanner -Siding Repair & Painting - $7,860
4.) 222 N. Chestnut Street - Tanner - Painting, New Handrail, New Gutters - $21,000
5.) 311-313 Grand Avenue - Tanner - Window Repair - $12,930
6.) 332 Plum Street - Tanner - Siding Repair & Painting & Porch Repair - $12,875
7.) 413 Wilder Street - Tanner - Cornice & Gutter Replication - $17,660
8.) 418 Palace Street - Tanner - Gutter Replacement - $12,600
9.) 424 West Park Avenue - Tanner - Siding Repair & Painting - $18,218
10.) 551 W. Downer Place - Landmark - Gutter Replacement & Soffit/Fascia Repair - $21,000
11.) 625 Oak Avenue - Tanner - Window Restoration and New Wood Storms - $11,759
12.) 730 Grand Avenue - Riddle Highlands - Tuckpointing & Window Lintel and Sill Repair - $15,075
13.) 740 Palace Street - Riddle Highlands - Tuckpointing & Chimney Repair - $16,120
14.) 985 Sheffer Road - Landmark - Gutter Replacement & Soffit/Fascia Repair - $15,000
POLICIES AND GUIDELINES:
The Staff’s Evaluation and Recommendation are based on the City of Aurora Historic
Districts and Landmarks Guideline.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Historic Preservation Commission recommended APPROVAL of A Resolution Authorizing Approval of the 2024 Historic Preservation Grants and Allowing the Mayor to enter into Historic Preservation Grant Agreements and Addendums.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit "A" 2024 Historic Preservation Grants
Proposed 2024 Historic Preservation Grants Recommendations
Photo Presentation
Grant Agreement Templates
cc:
Alderwoman Patty Smith, Chairperson
Alderwoman Shweta Baid, Vice Chairperson
Alderman Michael B. Saville
Alderman Bill Donnell
Alderman Carl Franco
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution Authorizing Approval of the 2024 Historic Preservation Grants and Allowing the Mayor to enter into Historic Preservation Grant Agreements and Addendums
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, by petitions dated December 6, 2023, owners filed with the City of Aurora a
request for Preservation Grants for certain properties within the City of Aurora;
WHEREAS, on January 22, 2024, the Historic Preservation Commission reviewed said
requests and recommended that the City allow the Mayor to enter into Preservation Grant Agreements; and
WHEREAS, the City Budget contains sufficient funds in Account Number
101-1840-463.50-43 Other SC-Special Programs/Grant/Property Rehab in order to
provide all necessary funding for the projects;
WHEREAS, on February 14, 2024, the Building, Zoning, and Economic Development
Committee of the Aurora City Council reviewed said petition and the before mentioned
recommendations and recommended APPROVAL of said petition; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, finds as facts all of the preamble recitals of this Resolution and hereby authorizing the City’s Mayor, Chief Development Services Officer, and Zoning and Planning Director, or their designees, to execute Historic Preservation Grant Agreements and Amendments as well as any other documents associated with these approvals, for the 2024 Historic Preservation Grant Program as shown on Exhibit “A”.