Westminster wins $140,000 state grant for downtown facade improvements

The Westminster Historic District Commission on Feb. 4 announced the city received a $140,000 state award to fund facade improvements for downtown commercial buildings.

Melissa Thorne, city staff, said the award is aimed at commercial (nonresidential) properties in the downtown core and that the city has begun soliciting applications for round 1. "The state awarded our city a $140,000 for facade improvements," Thorne said, and staff reported at least eight property owners have expressed interest and two formal applications have been received so far. Applications are due Tuesday the 10th; staff will compile submissions and forward them to state reviewers and invite applicants to discuss projects at the March 3 public meeting on the district implementation plan.

Commission members and staff emphasized eligibility limits. The program is limited to commercial storefronts and does not fund rental residential units; staff clarified that mixed buildings with a commercial ground floor and residential units above are eligible if the storefront is commercial. The commission also discussed how the state’s requirement that projects be ranked (rather than strictly first‑come, first‑served) will affect how the city selects proposals and distribute funds.

Members raised design concerns they want applicants to know up front, especially about contemporary materials. Commissioners said they expect to discourage vertical siding as inconsistent with historic character and suggested adding clear guidance to the packet so applicants do not invest in work likely to be ineligible for tax credits or facade funding.

Next steps: staff will finalize guidance and application materials, accept and compile applications for the state review, and present applicants at the commission’s March 3 public meeting. The commission did not take a formal vote on program rules during the Feb. 4 meeting.