Facade $ approved

A local organization and a local business will be getting assistance to make improvements on their buildings.

Portland’s Facade Committee on Wednesday approved funding for The Venue of Portland and Portland Elks Lodge.

Treaver Schmit and Dave Smuts of The Venue asked the committee for any help that may be available for the renovations they are planning for the building at 105 W. Main St., Portland. Plans call for rehabilitating the building for use as a concert venue featuring local, regional and national performers.

Facade committee members Rusty Inman and Joe Johnston identified masonry work/tuck pointing and front facade/windows as areas that would qualify for funding under the facade program rules. The program can provide up to 50% of the total cost, which in this case was $88,000.

Inman and Johnston, absent Portland Mayor Jeff Westlake, approved the maximum $44,000 contribution to the project from the facade program. (The Venue last month was approved for $35,000 from Portland Redevelopment Commission for concrete and plumbing work for the building.)

Bryan Alexander presented the proposal from Portland Elks Lodge for assistance with roofing on the east side of the facility at 126 W. High St. He explained that the organization has been growing — it now has 170 members, an increase of about 40 in the last 18 month — and that it has made about $59,000 in improvements to the lodge so far.

Alexander noted that a goal is to encourage more rentals of the Elks Lodge.

The roof project is estimated at a total cost of $30,500, with ACE Construction and Remodeling of Muncie coming in with the low quote.

The facade committee approved a $15,000 contribution toward the project, which is the maximum for roof work based on the program’s rules.

Inman also issued a reminder that funding is available for such projects in Portland’s Historic Preservation District.

“We encourage others to use (the facade program),” he said. “This money is available. There are rules and expectations, but please come and use this money. It does nobody any good just sitting in a spreadsheet.”