Village awards downtown incentive grant for façade repairs at 33 N. Cass after crash damage

The Westmont Village Board on Jan. 8 approved a Downtown Incentive Program (DIP) award to John and Kimberly Hagedorn to support façade restoration and related work at 33 N. Cass Avenue, a building that suffered major front‑end damage in an August vehicle collision.

Director Hennepin explained the project includes three elements not covered by insurance: upgraded brick veneer (about $20,000 additional cost), commercial‑grade second‑floor windows (about $30,000), and gooseneck façade lighting (about $7,000). Staff estimated eligible activities at roughly $56,000; the program’s 50% grant match would be $27,997.11. The applicants requested three waivers: (1) allowing a DIP award where construction has already commenced due to emergency repairs, (2) permitting a 10% increase in eligible funding for this Tier 2 grant, and (3) waiving the usual three‑year waiting period for future DIP requests.

Don, the property owner who appeared before the board, described midnight police notification of the crash and detailed ongoing insurance negotiations and out‑of‑pocket expenses. "It was a crazy August night when the police called me at midnight and, like, said, oh, a car ran into your building," Don said, describing structural work and follow‑up with contractors and insurers.

Trustee Linda Little moved to approve the grant as recommended; Trustee Johanna Guzzo seconded. The Board voted in favor on roll call and authorized the DIP award, including the requested waivers. Staff said the award comes from remaining funds in last year’s DIP budget and noted the village will continue outreach to downtown property owners about grant availability.

The owners said they will proceed with reconstruction and work with staff on the grant terms and contract execution.