PORT TOWNSEND — Applications for the Port Townsend Main Street Program’s HUD loans for historic preservation are due Friday.
Local businesses or property owners in historic buildings can get anywhere from $1,000 to $40,000 through a low interest loan to perform necessary upgrades that keep Port Townsend’s historic buildings standing.
“We just want to encourage property owners in the historic districts to keep up with historic preservation,” said Mari Mullen, director of the Main Street Program.
“Historic preservation is a major goal.”
The HUD loan has been offered by the Main Street Program since 1988 and has been used to restore many of Port Townsend’s historic buildings including Aldrich’s Grocery, the US Bank Building, Rose Theater and the Port Townsend Athletic Club.
“Sometimes it’s things that aren’t super obvious,” said Mullen. “Basically things that help with facade improvement and structural improvements that will preserve and extend the life of the building.”
Mullen said the loan has been used in the past to replace windows, paint storefronts, replace structural damage, fix stairs, redo roofs, add safety measures, fix brick work and add skylights.
Applications are due at the Main Street Program offices at 211 Taylor St. by 5 p.m. Friday.
Applications must include a photo of the building in need of repair, budget estimates, a timeline for the project and the funding desired.
Loans are on a 10-year term. Interest is set at 5 percent but could go down to zero with early repayment.
More information on the HUD loan and applications can be found by contacting the Port Townsend Main Street Program at 360-385-7911, emailing director@mainstreet.org or visiting the Main Street website at www.ptmainstreet.org.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@ peninsuladailynews.com.
