Ironwood plan outlines $650,000 facade program

IRONWOOD — The six-year Capital Improvement Plan recently adopted by the Ironwood City Commission includes a $600,000 two-year downtown facade improvement proposal and a separate $50,000 local effort.

The plan represents a wish list of projects in the city, many of which are dependent on receiving necessary grants.

The federally-assisted facade improvement program would be for fiscal years 2018-’19 and 2019-’20, estimated at $300,000 for each year.

The grants would be sought from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to “incentivize” property owners in the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority district to improve the exteriors of their buildings.

A total of six to 10 buildings would be improved through the Community Development Block Grant, according to the CIP.

The maximum CDBG grant amount for the two-year period would be $400,000.

The city used the facade improvement grant program successfully in the past, with many downtown buildings spruced up with signage and upgraded fronts.

The proposed two-year program would be similar in that the property owners would be required to match the grant 50-50.

The priority listing for the project is “critical.”

The six-year plan also includes continuing local funding of $50,000 for facade improvements, with the money coming from the city’s general fund and DIDA, beginning in 2019-’20.

A total of $10,000 — split between DIDA and the general fund — would be set aside annually for five years for improvements.