Kansas Department of Commerce
The Kansas Department of Commerce announced today that three communities have received grants through the Community Development Block Grant program. The funds, which total $554,649, have been awarded under the commercial rehabilitation category of CDBG funding.
The CDBG program allows the Department to distribute federal funds to Kansas cities and counties to improve their communities. To receive funds, a project must benefit low- and moderate-income individuals, remove or prevent slum or blight condition, or eliminate an urgent need created by a disaster when local funds are unavailable.
CDBG commercial rehabilitation funding helps cities improve the quality of their downtown commercial districts by assisting private property owners with the rehabilitation of blighted buildings. The intended outcome of the investment of grant funds in key buildings is to reverse the cycle of blight and encourage adjacent property owners to improve their buildings.
The following communities have received CDBG commercial rehabilitation funding:
• The city of Council Grove has been awarded $114,000 to make improvements to the Hays House restaurant. The work will include foundation stabilization, roof replacement, exterior walls repair, upper deck and front entry repair and an Americans with Disabilities Act compliant ramp. The renovations will allow the restaurant to continue to operate in Council Grove. The Hays House will provide $38,000 in private matching funds.
• The city of Dodge City has been awarded $190,649 to stabilize and repair the Old Dodge City Municipal Building that was built in 1929 and is listed on the National Register. The work will include tuck pointing the brick walls, roof repair and the removal of asbestos. The building will house the Boot Hill Distillery. The funds will be matched with $63,560 of private funds.
• The city of Plainville has been awarded $250,000 to improve a building located in downtown Plainville. The work will include exterior wall stabilization, roof replacement and electrical upgrades. The owners will provide $83,333 in private matching funds.