Grants may boost historic restorations

Elyria officials proposed a grant program to restore historic buildings in downtown district.

Elyria officials proposed a grant program to restore historic buildings downtown during a Feb. 8 joint City Council Community Development and Finance Committee meeting.

The grant program would look at restoring buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places or within the Historical District.

Mayor Frank Whitfield told council members former Lorain County Historical Society director Bill Bird asked why there’s money to tear down buildings, but no funds dedicated to restoring them.

“This is really a response to what we’ve heard a number community folks say,” Whitfield said.

The grant program likely is similar to the current downtown demolition grant program.

In July 2020, council approved the downtown demolition grant program, which offers up to $50,000 in funds.

The historic rehabilitation grant would match up to $50,000 as well.

Assistant Safety Service Director Dawn Calvert said applications will have to be approved by council’s Economic Development Committee in partnership with the Landmarks Commission.

“One of the changes the Economic Development Committee recommended we make is, rather than ask that each be reviewed by the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office, that we do not do that, and instead, utilize our Landmarks Commission to review these applications locally and provide their feedback into the design to any improvement to these buildings,” Calvert said.

“We’ll have that local knowledge of the historic redevelopment.”

There will be criteria in place for the rehabilitation grant, including being current on taxes, starting the project within one year and having it completed within two years as well as being listed on the National Register of Historic Places or within the Historical District.

“We have a list, an internal document, of which buildings in the downtown commons area are on the National Registry of Historic Places and either listed as historic or contributing to the historic nature character of downtown,” Calvert said.

She said she expects at least two applications to come within the next year.

The rehabilitation program will have to go before the full council for approval.

The next meeting is 7 p.m., Feb. 15, and will be streamed on the city’s YouTube channel.

Councilman Tom Callahan said this grant program will give people a chance to see restoration projects go on in the area instead of demolishing buildings in the Historic District.

“I think this approach provides a good balance seeing as we already have the demo program and we can see that every time we go through downtown,” Callahan said.

“Having the redevelopment grant program will just preserve the integrity and historic nature of downtown.

“I think there are only good things that can from this.”