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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Historic Preservation Commission
DATE: January 22, 2025
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Authorizing Approval of the Spring 2025 Historic Preservation Grants and Allowing the Mayor to enter into Historic Preservation Grant Agreements and Addendums (Legistar 25-0020 / KDWK-2024.446-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.
City Council approved additional funds for 2025 for a five year period. The remaining balance in account 101-1840-463.50-43 is $910,000.
DISCUSSION:
Staff received 14 applications representing the local districts, the National Register district, and Local Landmarks. The work is all exterior ranging from tuckpointing, window repair, chimney restoration, siding repair and painting to structural stabilization and porch restorations.
On December 9, 2024, the Historic Preservation Grant Committee reviewed the 14 applications submitted for the Spring 2025 Historic Preservation Grant Program. Based upon the merits of the projects, the Historic Preservation Commission recommended funding 13 projects. One was suggested to not be funded due to the nature of the project being a non-historic, rear deck. Some of the projects the Committee supported the general idea of the project but had some changes regarding material and execution of the project, which will be outlined in the Agreement.
Staff is working on additional outreach efforts for the coming grant rounds, which will include lawn signs on grantee projects stating the project was partially funded by the City’s Historic Preservation Grant project. Also, staff and Preservation Commission members are looking at attending some community events.
As outlined in attached Proposed Spring 2025 Historic Preservation Grant Summary, the following are recommended for approval. The preservation grants applications are requesting a total of $204,903 in grant funding. Due to every dollar over $10,000 requiring a match and the fact several projects are over $30,000 with one project being potentially over $100,000, the Winter 2025 grant round would see approximately $430,000 of work being invested in the historic districts and landmarks.
- 77 S. View Street - Local Landmark - Tuckpointing - $21,000
- 211 West Park Avenue - Tanner - Porch Restoration - $7,040
- 219 West Park - Tanner - Masonry Porch Restoration - $16,758
- 329 S. Lincoln Avenue - Near Eastside - Back Porch Restoration - $11,353
- 338 Grant Place - Near Eastside - Window Restoration & New Wood Storm Windows - $21,000
- 415 Oak Avenue - Tanner - Wood Storm Windows & Storm Door - $16,090
- 427 W. New York Street - Tanner - Porch Restoration - $15,483
- 464 Palace Street - Tanner - Wood Storm Windows & Window Repair- $12,751
- 535 W. Downer Place - Local Landmark - Carriage House Restoration - $21,000
- 625 Oak Avenue - Tanner - Siding Restoration, Lead Abatement and Painting - $21,000
- 729 W. Downer Place - Local Landmark - Wood Storm Windows - $12,930
- 734 Palace Street - Riddle Highlands - Window Restoration or Replacement - $19,698
- 985 Sheffer Road - Local Landmark - Stucco Repair - $8,800.
POLICIES AND GUIDELINES:
The Staff's Evaluation and Recommendation are based on the City of Aurora's Historic Districts and Landmarks Guidelines.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Historic Preservation Commission recommended APPROVAL of A Resolution Authorizing Approval of the Spring 2025 Historic Preservation Grants and Allowing the Mayor to enter into Historic Preservation Grant Agreements and Addendums.
ATTACHMENTS:
Proposed Spring 2025 Historic Preservation Summary
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 Spring 2025 Historic Preservation Grants and Allowing the Mayor to enter into Historic Preservation Grant Agreements and Addendums.
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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, 2024, owners filed with the City of Aurora a
request for Preservation Grants for certain properties within the City of Aurora;
WHEREAS, on January 9, 2025, 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 January 29, 2025, 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 Spring 2025 Historic Preservation Grant Program as listed on Exhibit “A”.