Agenda

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City Council Regular Meeting

Meeting Date:

12/13/2022

BACKGROUND

The tenant, Greyhouse Blooms, and the owner of the property, Jason Contreras, are applying for a Main Street Local Flavor Grant for 817 Main (formerly the Contreras Flower Shop). Staff is recommending the grant up to $5,000 (work totaling $10,000) for interior and exterior painting and refinishing the existing hardwood floors.

Painting the exterior of the building clearly falls within the facade improvement category. Although not as clearly falling into a category, the interior painting and the refinishing of the hardwood floors is clearly necessary given how long it has been since this work had been done. The Contreras Flower Shop occupied this location for decades. The benefit of Grayhouse Blooms - a florist moving into this location is that the structure is well suited to this use. It already has a large walk in cooler for example. But that does mean work like painting that occurs as part of interior demolition and floor refinishing is occurring without that significant level of renovation. As such staff is comfortable with these costs being considered Systems Grant elements.

A grant for up to $4,750 generally for electrical, plumbing and mechanical related work was approved on August 23, 2002. A second grant for up to $2,500 was approved on September 6, 2022 for mechanical, electrical, and asbestos testing. Both of these grants were just to the property owner.

GOAL

Promote and enhance commercial activity along Main Street to promote the economic, cultural and general welfare of the public. The area around Main Street in Schertz once served as the commercial and social hub of the community. The City seeks to improve the image of the area around Main Street through matching grants that promote local economic development and stimulate business and commercial activities.

COMMUNITY BENEFIT

Encourage the attraction of small businesses that will create local charm and help develop a sense of place around Main Street. Promote commercial development. Stabilize and improve property values. Foster civic pride. Strengthen the economy of the City by protecting and enhancing the attractiveness of the Main Street area to residents and visitors, as well as provide support of local businesses.

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTION

Staff recommends approval of Resolution 22-R-130, approving a Schertz Main Street Local Flavor Economic Development Grant for up to $5,000 for 817 Main Street.

FISCAL IMPACT

The maximum fiscal impact of approval of this grant is $5,000. The City budgets $50,000 annually for the Main Street Grant programs. So far this fiscal year the City has paid $871.53.

The City has currently approved up to $60,000 for the proposed new building at 824 Main (corner of Schertz Parkway and Main Street) and the second Local Flavor Grant for 817 Main has $1,648.27 that could be paid. The grant for 507 Main (Masonic Lodge) is also on this agenda for approval. Assuming that grant is approved along with this grant request, the outstanding liabilities for the Main Street Grant programs total $74,128.47. While this is above the $49,128.47 of funding left, the City has traditionally either tapped into Contingency Funds or submitted a budget adjustment to Council for approval. One aspect of this program is that the property owner has a year to complete the work (or seek re-approval), so grants can extend past a fiscal year.

RECOMMENDATION

Approval of Resolution 22-R-130.

Attachments
Res 22-R-130 817 Main 3rd Grant
Grant 817 Main St