12 buildings have been upgraded since program began in 2021
Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
JASPER – A downtown facade improvement program that has assisted with improvements to 12 buildings is entering its third year in Jasper.
Heart of Jasper, the city’s Main Street organization, is accepting applications from building owners for phase three of the grant program. Heart of Jasper coordinates the program that began in 2021. Funded by the city of Jasper, a total of $50,000 in grants is available.
The goal of the program is to stimulate retail growth in the downtown and riverfront areas and catalyze investment through enhanced aesthetics.
Kate Schwenk, Heart of Jasper part-time coordinator, said interest in the grant program continues to grow as more building owners see the potential to improve their buildings.
In 2021, the grant program’s first year, five buildings were awarded grants. Schwenk said interest in the program spiked the second year as 14 applications were received and seven building owners were approved for grants.
Upgrades have consisted of a little bit of everything.
“Some projects included painting or tuckpointing. Other projects have included new awnings and signage,” Schwenk said.
Applicants submit construction and design plans, which are reviewed by a Heart of Jasper committee.
Schwenk said the committee makes sure the plans and materials to be used meet the city’s facade guidelines for historic preservation as well as complement the town’s aesthetic.
Mel Harder, co-owner of the building at 706-08 Main St., was approved in the first round.
Today, the building is completely transformed from its previous state when its exterior was unpainted brick and the upper windows had been filled in.
Now painted white with blue trim, the Main Street building stands out.
When Harder bought the building in 2015, it had one tenant. With the renovation and the facade work complete, it now has six tenants, including a yoga studio, photography studio, tattoo shop and financial services office.
In addition to the facade grant, Harder also received a building preservation grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to do additional work.
“We had an extensive plan to renovate the building and restore it to its original condition,” Harder said. “As the plans developed during the renovation, we saw other opportunities to make it stand out.”
Painted brick, lighting and signage were added in the final phase with the grant from the Heart of Jasper.
As the transformation took place, the building became a talking point for the downtown merchants.
“The building became an attraction for new tenants and their customers and the surrounding merchants. ” he said.
Harder said the facade grant opportunity is a great tool for generating energy in downtowns.
“It’s been great for us,” he said. “It’s creating more opportunities for the city, the tenants and building pride in the community.”
Mel Harder
Facade grant details
Grants will be awarded for 50% of the cost of approved improvements. The minimum project plan must be over $5,000. The maximum match will be $10,000. In total, the program will provide a maximum of $50,000 in grant funding for the 2023 calendar year. Applicants have until Dec. 31 of that year to complete the work.
“On a big project, $10,000 only goes so far, but knowing there is some funding available, building owners can initiate a project rather than putting it off,” Schwenk said.
The facade program is part of a larger downtown revitalization project happening in Jasper. For phase one, the city is upgrading the downtown area’s water lines and storm sewage infrastructure. In phase two, a new streetscape will be constructed on the Jasper square.
For more information and to apply for the grant, visit the Heart of Jasper website https://www.heartofjasper.org/facade-grant-program/
Deadline to apply is Feb. 20, 2023.