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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Historic Preservation Commission
DATE: September 6, 2019
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Historic Preservation Grant Agreement with Ariana Romualdo for 437 E. Downer Place (Ariana Romualdo - 10-0809 / AU22/4-19.167-HP/GR - JM - Ward 2)
PURPOSE:
Exhibit “A” is a resolution authorizing the execution of a Historic Preservation Grant Agreement with Ariana Romualdo for the property at 437 E. Downer Place. Pursuant to the Agreement Ariana Romualdo will receive up to $16,500.00 toward the renovation of the building including removal of aluminum siding and original wood siding restoration.
BACKGROUND:
The property is within the Near Eastside Historic District. The building is an owner-occupied one-unit. The building was built c.1927 in the National Front Gable style.
DISCUSSION:
Staff has reviewed the grant application and have determined that it meets the applicable codes and ordinances. The proposal is consistent with the City of Aurora Historic Districts and Landmarks Guidelines.
On September 5, 2019, the Historic Preservation Commission reviewed the 45 applications submitted for the 2019 Historic Preservation Grant Program. The application process was highly competitive with many worthwhile projects. Staff was able to combine the $100,000 City Council allocated in 2018 for preservation funds with funding issued in past years from previous grant projects that were never used or came in under budget for a total of $180,000 to be used towards the 2019 Historic Preservation Grant Program. Based upon the available funding, the Historic Preservation Commission ranked 14 applications as being the most deserving for funding and recommends those applications for approval by City Council. Approval is contingent upon Aurora’s legal council’s review of the Grant Agreement. In order to receive the first $10,000 of the grant, the applicant must comply with all guidelines. In order to receive the next $5,500 of the grant the applicant must match this amount with their own funding of an additional $5,500, making the total project value $21,000. The final $1,000 of the grant amount is a grant based on the guidelines that allow for additional funding for the use of local contractors.
POLICIES AND GUIDELINES:
The Staff’s Evaluation and Recommendation are based on the City of Aurora Historic Districts and Landmarks Guidelines and subsequent Clarification memos.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Historic Preservation Commission recommended APPROVAL of A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Historic Preservation Grant Agreement with Ariana Romualdo for 437 E. Downer Place.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit “A” Historic Preservation Grant Agreement
Grant Application
cc:
Alderman Michael Saville, Chairperson
Alderman Sherman Jenkins, Vice Chairperson
Alderman Carl Franco, Member
Alderman Robert J. O'Connor, Member
Alderman Juany Garza, Member
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Historic Preservation Grant Agreement with Ariana Romualdo for 437 E. Downer Place
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 petition dated August 29, 2019, Ariana Romualdo filed with the City of Aurora a request for a Preservation Grant for certain property within the City of Aurora and the Near Eastside Historic District; and
WHERAS, on September 5, 2019, the Historic Preservation Commission reviewed said request and recommended that the City enter into a Preservation Grant Agreement pursuant to said request; and
WHEREAS, for reasons set forth in the Preservation Grant Agreement, attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit “A”, the City and Ariana Romualdo wish to enter into said attached Agreement for restoration work at 437 E. Downer Place; and
WHEREAS, the City Budget contains sufficient funds, in excess of the amount of $16,500.00 for this Agreement in Account Number 340-1840-463.50-43 OTHER SC-SPECIAL PROGRAMS/GRANTS/PROPERTY REHAB in order to provide all necessary funding for the project; and
WHEREAS, on September 11, 2019, 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 authorizes the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Preservation Grant Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit “A”.