Livingston URA approves facade grant for Morecam Arts awning at 109 South Main

The Livingston Urban Renewal Agency on Aug. 25 approved a facade repair grant to cover half of an awning replacement at 109 South Main Street, the storefront identified in the meeting as Morecam Arts. A board member moved the award for $2,855, representing 50% of the $5,709 project estimate; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.

The staff member presenting the application said applicants were not on the original Zoom line but had joined later, and that staff had reviewed the submission from a historic-design perspective and found the replacement awning would retain the same style while using a different fabric and color. "The total amount of the project is $5,709," the staff member said, and staff estimated the URA payout at $2,855 under the program's 50% funding rule. Staff also told the board owner permission was provided by email and that the application otherwise met the facade grant requirements.

Board members asked procedural questions about contracting and bid requirements. The staff member noted the grant guidelines say multiple bids are required but said the city had sometimes accepted single quotes for certain signage and awning work, particularly when specialized contractors make competing quotes impractical. After the vote, a representative of the storefront thanked the board and said they had been trying to arrange repairs since February.

The board did not require the applicant to seek Historic Preservation Commission review; staff said applicants may voluntarily request HPC feedback but a recent state law prevents the URA from requiring such a referral. Staff said the replacement is limited to fabric and color changes, not to changes in awning form.

Next steps: staff said they will follow up with the applicant on ordering and permit steps. The grant award was recorded in the meeting minutes; the voice vote passed the motion. Exact roll-call vote tallies were not specified in the transcript.