Downtown Revitalization Grant Approved For Glenwood
Some of the Town Square buildings that will be renovated as part of the Downtown Revitalization project in Glenwood.
Grant funding for the revitalization of several buildings on Glenwood’s Town Square has now been approved.
Last week, the city of Glenwood was awarded $521,526 through a grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Downtown Revitalization program. The city’s application was written by the Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO), which will also administer the project once underway. This grant will revitalize a total of eight facades in the downtown area of Glenwood.
The City of Glenwood is excited to partner with IEDA, SWIPCO, Curtis Architecture, and the property owners involved in the Downtown Revitalization project,” stated Amber Farnam, City Administrator for the City of Glenwood. “We know that this project will only enhance the charm and beauty already found in our historic downtown square.”
Last October, the Glenwood City Council passed a resolution authorizing and directing Mayor Ron Kohn to make an application to the Iowa CDBG Fund to assist with the revitalization of eight properties in the city’s downtown business district.
Glenwood’s downtown revitalization program has been an on-going, collaborative effort between the Mills County Chamber of Commerce, City of Glenwood and Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO).
A document posted on the IEDA website states, “The Downtown Revitalization Fund provides grants to communities for activities contributing to comprehensive revitalization in historic city centers or core downtown areas. The program is primarily focused on building façade improvements to privately owned buildings in downtowns. Buildings with first floor residential use are prohibited from program participation. Work on roofs, for up to 40% of that building’s total costs, is also eligible.
“Front façades of buildings and side facades, when clearly visible from the travel lane of the adjacent public street are eligible. Rear facades are eligible only under very rare circumstances. Upper story residential units are subject to lead-based paint requirements.”
Downtown Revitalization Community Development Block Grants were started in Iowa in 2012 to help preserve and restore downtown buildings for economic development. Since 2012, SWIPCO has assisted with a total of seven Downtown Revitalization projects in the Southwest Iowa region. The CDBG grant will cover 50% of the project costs, the city covers 25% of the project costs, and the building owners cover the remaining 25%. This will be the city of Glenwood’s first Downtown Revitalization project.
“Glenwood has a downtown full of beautiful historic buildings that, like other downtowns, has seen some disinvestment,” stated SWIPCO Community Development Lead Planner Dani Briggs. “This project will work to reduce the blighted areas, highlight the historic architecture, and promote future investment in the downtown area.”
Construction is estimated to be started by April 2024 and should be completed by April 2025. The scope of work on this project includes tuckpointing, window and door replacement or rehab, painting, removing slip coverings, etc.