Geneva approves Destination Geneva grant expansion and MOA for downtown Niche Restaurant improvements

On May 18 the Geneva City Council approved an expanded Destination Geneva grant program and authorized a memorandum of agreement with Third Street Holdings LLC (doing business as Niche Restaurant) for planned public-property improvements.

City Administrator White briefed the committee on the Destination Geneva expansion, noting updates to the application scoring and insurance language after council feedback from a prior meeting; staff said the packet includes the grant agreement and a fillable application form will be posted on the city website. Council members had no further questions and the resolution (Res. 2026-50) passed 7–2.

Separately, staff presented Resolution 2026-54 authorizing a MOA with Third Street Holdings LLC to complete planned improvements to property previously sold to the developer. Ms. Voigt explained the item continues a transformation of the space and staff said there is no cost to the city for the work. Director Timoshenko was available for questions; the council approved the MOA by unanimous vote.

Both measures were framed by staff as supporting the city’s 2030 strategic plan goals for purposeful growth and economic vitality; packets included detailed executive summaries and application materials for the grant program.

The council did not request additional follow-up reporting beyond standard implementation checks and the items will be executed through the city’s normal grant and agreements processes.