Amendment #15 to H3899

Support the Holyoke Downtown Facade Improvement Program with funding of $50,000

Mr. Vega of Holyoke moves to amend the bill The enduring element of a city is its architecture. While recognizing that buildings change over time, the Facade Improvement Program has a primary interest in the preservation and, where appropriate, the restoration of the original architecture of Holyoke to support economic development initiatives.

These funds are in the form of a grant that must be matched in equal amounts of the request up to $25,000. The Façade Improvement Program was designed to strengthen and enhance the City of Holyoke’s business districts by restoring and improving existing facades. The FIP is administered by the Greater Holyoke Chamber Centennial Foundation with funding from the City of Holyoke Office for Community Development. FIP offers rebates to eligible property owners for up to 50% of the façade improvement project cost. The minimum rebate is $2500 for at least a $5000 project to a maximum rebate of $25,000 for at least a $50,000 project.

This amendment would provide an additional $50,000 for FY14