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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Historic Preservation Commission
DATE: September 9, 2025
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Authorizing Approval of the Summer 2025 Historic Preservation Grants and Allowing the Mayor to enter into Historic Preservation Grant Agreements and Addendums (Legistar 25-0638/ KDWK-2025.172-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:
This year, City Council approved a million dollars for the Historic Preservation Grant Program along with expanding the program to both owner occupied and rental properties up to five living units and increased the maximum grant amount. The Preservation Grant Program is a reimbursable grant for exterior historic rehabilitation projects. The maximum increased from $20,000 to $30,000. All grants at or under $15,000 require no cash match. All grants over $15,000 require a dollar-for-dollar cash match for every dollar over $15,000. The final $1,000 of the grant is additional funding for the use of local contractors.
The current balance in account 101-1840-463.50-43 and 215-1840-463.50-43 is approximately $720,000.
DISCUSSION:
Staff received 39 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. Staff is working on additional outreach efforts for the coming grant rounds, including handing out flyers and attending some community events.
On August 7, 2025, the Historic Preservation Grant Committee reviewed the 39 applications submitted for the Summer 2025 Historic Preservation Grant Program.
The Preservation Commission evaluated all project applications using a five-point scale, with one representing the highest ranking. In order to reserve funds for a second application round this fall—with awards distributed early next year—the Commission recommended funding all projects ranked one through three. Projects that did not receive funding in this round may be reconsidered in the next cycle.
Funding recommendations were based primarily on the scope of each project, with priority given to owner-occupied homes. Each application was assessed according to multiple criteria, including—but not limited to—the condition of the property, historical significance, potential public benefit, impact on the streetscape, visibility, and the extent to which original materials would be preserved.
As outlined in more detail on the attached Proposed Summer 2025 Historic Preservation Grants Summary, the following are the ranking:
Ranking One
1.) 77 S. View Street – Local Landmark – Tuckpointing, Wood Repair, and Painting - $31,000
2.) 222 S. Lincoln Avenue – Near Eastside - Siding Restoration and Painting - $31,000
3.) 231 S. 4th Street – Near Eastside – Porch Restoration - $6,435
4.) 233 West Park Avenue – Tanner – Window Restoration and Masonry Restoration - $17,586
5.) 312 S. 4th Street – Near Eastside – Porch Restoration - $19,610
6.) 335 S. Lincoln Avenue – Near Eastside – Porch Restoration - $15,400
7.) 411 W. New York Street – Tanner – Porch Restoration - $27,750
8.) 435 W. Downer Place – Westside – Porch Restoration - $31,000
9.) 515 Oak Avenue – Tanner – Porch Repairs - $6,215
10.) 526 Palace Street – Palace – Window Restoration - $25,633
11.) 547 5th Street – Landmark – Window Restoration - $19,154
Ranking Two
12.) 18 S. May Street – Westside – Foundation Repair - $20,848
13.) 123 S. Highland Avenue – Landmark – Window Restoration - $15,620
14.) 154-158 S. Lincoln – Near Eastside – Window Restoration - $31,000
15.) 169 S. Lincoln Avenue – Near Eastside – Siding and Trim Repair, Gutter Repair– $22,113
16.) 311 Grand Avenue – Tanner – Window Restoration - $17,438
17.) 332 Plum Street – Tanner - Siding Repair, Porch Restoration, & Painting - $15,960
18.) 361 Lawndale Avenue – Riddle – Tuckpointing & Window Restoration - $31,000
19.) 427 Pennsylvania Avenue – Tanner – Window Replacement of Vinyl Windows - $11,550
20.) 444 Iowa Avenue – Tanner – Siding Repair & Painting - $24,175
21.) 448 Pennsylvania Avenue – Tanner - Window Replacement of Vinyl Windows - $7,432
22.) 456 Wilder Street – Tanner - Tuckpointing and Wall Rebuild - $17,988
23.) 548 Garfield Avenue – Landmark – Gutters, Soffit Restoration, & Painting - $10,029
24.) 726 Oak Avenue – Riddle Highlands – Chimney Restoration - $6,655
25.) 727 Oak Avenue – Riddle Highlands – Custom Wood Storms Window and Door - $25,688
26.) 128 S. Lincoln Avenue – Near Eastside – Siding and Window Replacement- $22,148
Ranking Three
27.) 338 Grant Place – Near Eastside – Window Restoration - $9,240
28.) 361 West Park Avenue – Tanner – Window Restoration - $9,240
29.) 433 Oak Avenue – Tanner – Tuckpointing - $19,775
30.) 109-111 S. 4th Street – Near Eastside – Gutter Replacement – $9,927
31.) 340 West Park Avenue – Tanner – Gutters - $12,276
POLICIES AND GUIDELINES :
The Staff’s Evaluation and Recommendation are based on the City of Aurora Historic
Districts and Landmarks Guideline.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Historic Preservation Commission recommended APPROVAL of A Resolution Authorizing Approval of the Summer 2025 Historic Preservation Grants and Allowing the Mayor to enter into Historic Preservation Grant Agreements and Addendums.
ATTACHMENTS:
Proposed Summer 2025 Historic Preservation Summary
Photo Presentation
cc:
Alderman Michael B. Saville, Chairperson
Alderman Patty Smith, Vice Chairperson
Alderman Javier Bañuelos
Alderwoman Juany Garza
Alderman Will White
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution Authorizing Approval of the Summer 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 July 29, 2025, owners filed with the City of Aurora a request for Preservation Grants for certain properties within the City of Aurora; and
WHEREAS, on August 14, 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 and 215-1840-463.50-43 Other SC-Special Programs/Grant/Property Rehab in order to provide all necessary funding for the projects; and
WHEREAS, on September 10, 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 Summer 2025 Historic Preservation Grant Program as listed on Exhibit “A”.