Committee advances building‑improvement grant and a draft art grant, plans outreach to arts groups and FURA timeline

During the May 27 meeting the committee reviewed updates to a building‑improvement grant program and discussed creating an art grant by adapting the building‑improvement template. Members indicated they will continue to solicit input from the arts council and the chamber and plan to bring a final version of the building‑improvement grant and a draft art grant to the next committee meeting.

Committee members said one of the items should be ready to forward to the FURA board for recommendation. The transcript identifies a target of taking a final grant program to the June 18 meeting for committee action and then to FURA with a recommendation expected around July 6. Members also noted that some changes to the negotiated development agreement (DDA) are pending attorney review; staff said they are working to resolve lender‑priority language and the timing of closing remains tentative.

Next steps: staff will circulate the revised grant language, engage the arts council and chamber for feedback, and prepare at least one item for the committee to forward to FURA per the stated timeline.