The historic train depot is getting help from Dublin Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Amy Wright, who is helping the city complete paperwork for GrantWorks.
At the Tuesday, July 26 regularly scheduled EDC meeting, Wright updated board members that she was assisting the city with paperwork that would ultimately allow GrantWorks to move forward with the project as far as seeking grants and engineering is concerned.
Board members questioned what the plan was for the building and asked for clarification on the EDC’s involvement in the project.
“It’s a collaboration and we want to get people to occupy it for a business,” Wright explained.
The EDC board moved forward with the approval of two façade grants – one for a commercial building from Eddie Salyer, at 200 East Blackjack and one for Mack Stewart at 202 E. Clinton. Both grants were for $5,000 each.
Salyer used the money to up-date the paint on trim and surrounding the windows.
For Stewart, the funds were used to improve the former senior citizens center building.
The board received feedback from Keep Dublin Beautiful about the shamrock signs for the points-of-entry into town.
According to Wright, Keep Dublin Beautiful is responsible for the signs and they are waiting on a a quote to repair the rock base at the bottom of the signs. After quotes are received, they would need to approach the EDC for a grant if they need financial assistance to fix the signs.
The board gave a nod of approval with Ben Pate to move forward with research for a potential sidewalk project to replace about 1,000 sq. ft. from the corner of Hwy. 377/Hwy.6 to Hogan’s Alley in front of Blackjack’s.
“I wanted to see if there was still the will here to pursue this,” Pate explained.
After he finds out costs, requirements including water and gas, Pate said he could potentially come back to the EDC board to get funding for the project.
At that time, the EDC board would either approve the grant or deny it.
“The sidewalk is dangerous,” Pate said.
The board also discussed its preliminary budget, which was similar to the prior year.
Some of the highlights of the budget include continuing facade grants for commercial and residential projects ($20,000 budgeted), business incentives for infrastructure and other ($27,611 budgeted), community beautification ($20,000 budgeted), downtown improvements ($75,000 budgeted), abandoned/ substandard building program ($25,000 budgeted), payroll expense ($45,000 budgeted). Preliminary budget shows a total of $492,738 in assets and projected revenues balancing out with expenses.