PORT ANGELES — City Hall will distribute $120,000 in federal funds to help business owners fix up old building façades over the next two years, city development director Nathan West said Tuesday.
West, community and economic development director, told a group of 30 business owners about the program at the Port Angeles Business Association meeting Tuesday morning.
Thirteen Port Angeles businesses have completed upgrades through the federally funded Façade and Sign Improvement Program matching-grant program, and an additional 15 to 20 businesses have been selected for it, West said.
Among those that have benefited are several well-known buildings — including those housing Independent Bible Church administration offices at 112 N. Lincoln St., the former Kaufmann-Miller Furniture building on East First Street downtown and the Tempest Building, the former Aggie’s, at 112 N. Albert St.
All have had restoration or improvement in keeping with their history and architecture, West said.
In addition, the former Gottschalks building exterior at 200 W. First St. was completely remodeled to become the new home of Country Aire Natural Foods, which opened there May 1.
The Arthur D. Feiro Marine Life Center on City Pier created an entryway using the matching-funds grant, while Swain’s General Store at 602 E. First St. and Pacific Refrigeration at 600 E. First St. each restored historic neon signs, West said.
“It shows the pride local businesses have by investing in their property,” he said.
Port Angeles joined the Community Development Block Grant program in 2009 after the American Institute of Architects made a presentation to the city.
It took city officials just two weeks to decide to join the program, which is now in its fourth year, West said.
Businesses can apply for $10,000 in matching grant funds for façade improvement or $1,000 for a sign.
“It’s been competitive,” West said.
The city could consider potentially bigger grants for major projects, he said.
Business owners who want to take part in the program must submit applications by Aug. 15.
West said the funds can be used for rehabilitation, reconstruction, glass windows, doors and professional architectural design.
Elements that are considered when selecting recipients of the matching funds include the visibility of the building, expected increases in property value, neighborhood and historical context, and the property owner’s ability to proceed with the proposed work, he said.
Applications are available at Port Angeles City Hall, 321 E. Fifth St.
For more information about the matching-funds program, contact Roberta Korcz, assistant planner, at 360-417-4804 or rkorcz@cityofpa.us.
Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
