City Hears Alleyway Pilot Program Proposal
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jennifer [email protected]
Mark Dobson, Warsaw-Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce president, made a presentation on the proposal.
The purpose of the alleyway matching grant program is to stimulate efforts to improve the off-street exterior appearance of downtown Warsaw’s commercial and business facades.
Changes were made to the program, including a more defined scoring mechanism and provisions that give the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety and the acting Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory chief authority to determine safe and acceptable uses of alleyways.
The program has been funded by the city of Warsaw and will be administered by Warsaw Community Development Corp.
The program offers up to $5,000 in matching funds per applicant.
Funds may be awarded for off-street improvements up to $5,000 for building facades, awnings and signs.
For the fiscal year 2014, there is a total of $10,000 available, and the 2014 grant cycle will begin Jan. 1, and run until Sept. 30, or until funds are fully committed for projects.
In other business, the council approved changes to the First Friday participation criteria.
Dobson said the new participation criteria recrafts a sense of place versus just business promotion and will allow more vendors to participate in First Friday.
The criteria states priority of participation in First Fridays is given to the following: businesses located in the historical courthouse and commercial district, event sponsors of a monthly First Friday and food court sponsors of a monthly First Friday.
The changes state without the volunteer efforts of WCDC members, the financial commitment of the City of Warsaw, and dedicated sponsors, First Fridays would not happen for the community.
The changes also establish First Friday vendor sponsor costs for: not-for-profit business promotional booths, free; non-profits selling food or merchandise, $15; Kosciusko County home-based single-proprietor businesses, $25; Kosciusko County based food court and/or vendor booths, $65; and non-Kosciusko County based food court and vendor booths, $75.
In other business, the board approved no parking zones on the east side of Lincoln Street from Center to Sheridan streets 24 hours a day seven days a week.
Kip Shuter, Warsaw Police Department traffic commission administrator, said there have been issues with drop off and pick up at Lincoln Elementary and the no parking will provide better access at the school.
Shuter said letters have been sent to residents who would be affected by the rule.
Jerry Frush, councilman, informed the council he received a concern regarding the condition of the alley by Retired Tigers that residents might trip or fall.
Lacy Francis, street superintendent, said he will look into the issue.
Jeff Grose, councilman, informed the council there have been 30 deer taken during this year’s reduction efforts.
In other business, Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer said Christmas lights will not be strung from the city’s traffic poles anymore.
He said the weight of the decorations with high winds have put “a tremendous force on the poles” which has resulted in cracking at the base of the poles.
Thallemer said there is an effort to explore the possibilities of perimeter lighting for all downtown buildings.
Last year was the first time Warsaw did not put out the usual display of Christmas lighted garland and snowflakes.
Several thousand dollars are remaining in this year’s facade grant program, which would qualify for the purchase of perimeter lights. Contact is being made with downtown building owners now to inquire about interest. The council will review the proposal during its Nov. 4 meeting.
Dobson provided an update on Warsaw’s pop-up shops that have been proposed. Warsaw Community Development Corp. has received six applications – five of which meet the qualifications and have the necessary insurance.
The shops will run Nov. 1 to Jan. 2 in downtown Warsaw shops.[[In-content Ad]]
Mark Dobson, Warsaw-Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce president, made a presentation on the proposal.
The purpose of the alleyway matching grant program is to stimulate efforts to improve the off-street exterior appearance of downtown Warsaw’s commercial and business facades.
Changes were made to the program, including a more defined scoring mechanism and provisions that give the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety and the acting Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory chief authority to determine safe and acceptable uses of alleyways.
The program has been funded by the city of Warsaw and will be administered by Warsaw Community Development Corp.
The program offers up to $5,000 in matching funds per applicant.
Funds may be awarded for off-street improvements up to $5,000 for building facades, awnings and signs.
For the fiscal year 2014, there is a total of $10,000 available, and the 2014 grant cycle will begin Jan. 1, and run until Sept. 30, or until funds are fully committed for projects.
In other business, the council approved changes to the First Friday participation criteria.
Dobson said the new participation criteria recrafts a sense of place versus just business promotion and will allow more vendors to participate in First Friday.
The criteria states priority of participation in First Fridays is given to the following: businesses located in the historical courthouse and commercial district, event sponsors of a monthly First Friday and food court sponsors of a monthly First Friday.
The changes state without the volunteer efforts of WCDC members, the financial commitment of the City of Warsaw, and dedicated sponsors, First Fridays would not happen for the community.
The changes also establish First Friday vendor sponsor costs for: not-for-profit business promotional booths, free; non-profits selling food or merchandise, $15; Kosciusko County home-based single-proprietor businesses, $25; Kosciusko County based food court and/or vendor booths, $65; and non-Kosciusko County based food court and vendor booths, $75.
In other business, the board approved no parking zones on the east side of Lincoln Street from Center to Sheridan streets 24 hours a day seven days a week.
Kip Shuter, Warsaw Police Department traffic commission administrator, said there have been issues with drop off and pick up at Lincoln Elementary and the no parking will provide better access at the school.
Shuter said letters have been sent to residents who would be affected by the rule.
Jerry Frush, councilman, informed the council he received a concern regarding the condition of the alley by Retired Tigers that residents might trip or fall.
Lacy Francis, street superintendent, said he will look into the issue.
Jeff Grose, councilman, informed the council there have been 30 deer taken during this year’s reduction efforts.
In other business, Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer said Christmas lights will not be strung from the city’s traffic poles anymore.
He said the weight of the decorations with high winds have put “a tremendous force on the poles” which has resulted in cracking at the base of the poles.
Thallemer said there is an effort to explore the possibilities of perimeter lighting for all downtown buildings.
Last year was the first time Warsaw did not put out the usual display of Christmas lighted garland and snowflakes.
Several thousand dollars are remaining in this year’s facade grant program, which would qualify for the purchase of perimeter lights. Contact is being made with downtown building owners now to inquire about interest. The council will review the proposal during its Nov. 4 meeting.
Dobson provided an update on Warsaw’s pop-up shops that have been proposed. Warsaw Community Development Corp. has received six applications – five of which meet the qualifications and have the necessary insurance.
The shops will run Nov. 1 to Jan. 2 in downtown Warsaw shops.[[In-content Ad]]
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