Tue Feb 09 2010
By TODD HELBERG
Today is a big day for Defiance's downtown and the Defiance Development and Visitors Bureau (DDVB).
DDVB officials journeyed to Columbus today to accept not only downtown Main Street designation from Heritage Ohio but a $400,000 state grant from the Ohio Department of Development for downtown revitalization. Gov. Ted Strickland was expected to attend today's award ceremony in the Statehouse, according to downtown development director Rita Kissner, who works out of the DDVB office.
"It's an incredibly exciting time for downtown Defiance," Kissner said earlier this week. "It adds to all of the other development happening in the area, but this will focus specifically on the heart of the community.
"I'd like to thank our DDVB board of directors and the community in general for the support and enthusiasm for the redevelopment of the downtown," she added. "It's just been amazing how people have gotten excited about the opportunities we have. We've taken a downtown with some empty buildings and decided we are going to make it better. I think we are really on our way."
Kissner and DDVB director Cindy Mack were expected to attend today's ceremony.
While word on the Main Street designation had been delivered to DDVB last month, news about the $400,000 grant is recent. Kissner said Maumee Valley Planning Organization, which will administer the grant, got the initial notice from Columbus.
The funds will provide certain downtown building owners with money to make facade and/or roof improvements and complete code-related work inside.
Buildings between Third Street and the Maumee River, and between Perry Street and Wayne Avenue are eligible for funding during the next two years. (A second round of funding will be sought later for the remaining downtown area.)
According to Kissner, 25 of 51 building owners in the target area signed up for funding. They provided officials with proposed projects as well as promises to add a required share of their own money.
"All 25 are guaranteed the opportunity to get some money," said Kissner.
The list of proposed projects, she explained, includes removing aluminum awnings, replacing windows, painting exteriors and repairing roofs. Electrical and plumbing work is planned inside some buildings.
The Main Street designation will provide downtown promoters with access to technical expertise and other advice. And, it will also enhance the city's chances for receiving grant funds to improve the downtown.
Kissner said officials already have their eyes on an additional $1 million grant called "Hope VI."
Made available through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the grant would provide funds to fix up rental units above downtown stores, she said.
"It's a grant that is given to small communities for the specific purpose of doing rental rehab," Kissner explained. "We will be working with building owners and applying for that in the spring. I think we should know (if the grant is awarded) by the end of the year."
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