Six homeowners awarded Paul Bruhn preservation contracts totaling city‑administered restoration work

City staff presented six homeowner projects approved under the Paul Bruhn owner‑occupied historic‑preservation grant and the board approved the awards at its Jan. 20 meeting.

Brenna (city staff lead on the program) said the Paul Bruhn grants are a national program focused on preserving properties in communities under 50,000 people and that National Park Service approval is required for projects. She told the board four projects will be done by Drake Youngblood and two by Candu Maintenance and walked members through scope and contractor quotes: examples included 405 Mill St. (tuckpointing, chimney and window work, foundation repair and siding) with an approved amount of $82,590; 608 Mulberry with masonry, roof and flashing work estimated at $87,009.20; 317 E. 1st (windows, siding removal/replacement and painting) at $26,600; and 408 E. 4th for porch restoration and siding replacement at $33,500.

Staff said there is no local match requirement, though applicants were required to meet income eligibility rules, and that the total remaining in the grant after these awards is expected to be modest (staff estimated about $26,000 in cushion if there are no overruns). Brenna also agreed to provide distribution cover sheets and confirm whether payments are draws or paid on completion; the board directed staff to collect W‑9s and provide PACE‑style documentation for payouts.

What’s next: staff said work will begin immediately following approvals, with a project completion target of April 30 where weather allows. Projects still require final administrative processing and payment sequencing per grant and National Park Service rules.