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Efforts to revitalize look of downtown Martinsville in high gear

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rockhurst
Sunday, October 28, 2012: 8:36 am
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"Giving up control of their property to the city"!! Are you kidding!!!! Can't the owners themselves get grants ? Please owners don't do this. Keep control of your own property.

nobodyimportant
Sunday, October 28, 2012: 12:33 pm
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At first, giving up some short-term rights seems onerous, but this is common when receiving grant funds from most sources. Rarely will an institution grant 80% of the costs of improving a property without some covenants or conditions. Remember, these are income-producing properties, thus the improvements enhance the ability to utilize those buildings for business purposes. Rockhurst, I understand the basis for your comments. I think the short answer as to whether grants could be given directly to the owners that would contain no such covenants is, "probably not", at least from the funding source cited.

Each owner will have to weigh the pros and cons. Getting 80% of the costs paid for is quite an incentive, and the conditions are time-limited.

As for the "higher costs" of the bid process and contractor requirements, I think it is wise to invest in businesses that have a track record for doing the job right. We have seen the results of some of the "jack-leg" rennovations and maintenance done on many downtown properties.

I do have a concern that behind the rennovated facades may be buildings in need of extensive repairs and restorations and those may go on the back burner in favor of spending owner funds as the match for the facade improvements. Kind of reminds me of old western movie town sets. Looking good on the outside may have consequences. On the other hand, getting this kind of funding support may be an incentive for doing the other more basic structural things that are needed. Who knows?

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