PRESENTER: Presenter
Jeff Jewell, Economic and Community Development Director
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of a recommendation by the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #3 Board awarding Business Improvement and Preservation Grants to the New Braunfels Art League in an amount up to $13,065.50 and to the New Braunfels Elks Lodge #2279 in an amount up to $7,943.75.
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DEPARTMENT: Economic and Community Development
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 5
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #3 Board (TIRZ 3 Board) offers Business Improvement and Preservation Grants to business and property owners interested in improving buildings downtown. Eligible projects include façade and exterior improvements, residential and commercial conversions, and improvements to public infrastructure and streetscapes. This grant program was approved by City Council with Resolution 2023-R59 on October 23, 2023.
An initial application from the New Braunfels Art League was previously approved by the TIRZ 3 Board and City Council in October 2024. The project stalled and the grant lapsed, and no funds were paid. The project was not initiated, and the applicant was encouraged to apply again. The New Braunfels Art League submitted a grant application, for reconsideration, to the TIRZ 3 Board on March 21, 2025, with an estimated total project cost of $52,262 to address façade and exterior improvements such as replacing failed window sealants, reseal penetrations in exterior brick, and apply a water repellent to front and side walls. Per program guidelines, grants can reimburse up to 25% of total project costs. The TIRZ 3 Board reviewed the application at its meeting on March 31, 2025, and voted unanimously to approve a grant of $13,065.50 (25% of total).
The New Braunfels Elks Lodge #2279 submitted a grant application to the TIRZ 3 Board on February 18, 2025 with five total projects - all totaling $225,856.95 - to address health and safety updates and façade and exterior improvements. The TIRZ 3 Board reviewed the application at its March 31, 2025 meeting and voted to approve funding for two of the five projects to include:
• $5,068.75 (25%) to assist with the design and spec for a fire sprinkler system and a fire alarm flow test (total project cost $20,275)
• $2,875 (25%) to assist with the installation of a fire alarm system (total project cost $11,500)
All grants will be awarded on a reimbursement basis after all the work for the improvements have been completed. Each applicant will be required to submit all receipts and paid invoices for the work to be awarded the grant.
ISSUE:
Per the guidelines of the Business Improvement and Preservation Grants program, the City Council must approve all grant recommendations from the TIRZ 3 Board.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☒Economic Mobility ☐Enhanced Connectivity ☒Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☒Community Well-Being ☐N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
TIRZ 3 has sufficient fund balance to support the issuance of these grants totaling $21,009.24.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the grants to the New Braunfels Art League and the New Braunfels Elks Lodge #2279.