http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wium/local-wium-979356.mp3
Fort Madison, IA – The city of Fort Madison and Fort Madison Main Street have been awarded a $500,000 grant by the Iowa Department of Economic Development.
Main Street Director Mary Ottoson says about 2/3 of the money will be used for fa ade improvements to a dozen downtown businesses.
She says the work can include reconfiguring storefronts, repairing masonry, painting, removing awnings from the 1960's and 1970's and things of that nature.
Ottoson says the rest of the grant money ($170,000) has been designated for the former Cattermole library on 7th Street.
The state grant will cover 70% of the work.
The city and the local business owners will provide the remaining 30% or roughly $150,000.
Ottoson says the next step is to select a firm to develop a master plan for the fa ade improvements.
That will allow a natural flow to the downtown district without having every building look the same.
Ottoson says the work will be pooled together so an individual contractor can handle all of the tuck-pointing, for example.
Eligible Properties
Dollhouse Dreams & Audio Audities (613 Avenue G)
Lee County Abstract (613-617 7th Street)
Cattermole Building (614 7th Street)
Ivy Bake Shoppe (616-622 7th Street)
Forget Me Not Antiques (617 Avenue G)
Dodd Printing & Stationary (621-623 Avenue G)
Sears Hometown Store & Dunn Designs (702-712 Avenue G)
Fort Madison Eye Clinic (716 Avenue G)
Angel Scent (723 Avenue G)
Jen and Kenra's Unique Boutique (731 Avenue G)
Stage 2 (816 Avenue G)
ReMax Associates (902 Avenue G)
--- (813-815 Avenue G)