Two more grant applications were approved at Monday’s Monmouth City Council meeting for building rehabilitations within the city’s two Tax Increment Finance districts.
The most substantial of the applications was for 208 South Main Street, a project that is expected to see an over $354,000 investment that includes upgraded security, elevator installation, roof replacement, and installation of 43 new, double-paned windows.
Lew Steinbrecher, City Administrator in Monmouth, says that he’s encouraged by the interest in the economic activity he’s seen in the city.
“I just got to tell you, I’m just really excited about how much interest there is by building owners and business owners looking to reinvest in their properties and their businesses here in town,” Steinbrecher told WGIL on Tuesday. “It’s a real revival. I’m just very encouraged by all the commercial activity that we’re seeing here in town.”
30 percent of the costs would be reimbursable under the rules of the TIF district, meaning about 106-thousand dollars in costs would be eligible.
The other property that was approved was for 105-111 North Main, with a total investment of $36,000 for improvements made that include tuckpointing and replacing eight windows on the upper floor of the property.
Aldermen in Monmouth later this month will consider approving an ordinance adopting electric scooter rentals for citizens to rent and travel a short distance on.
The company behind the scooters, Bird, has set up these scooters in metro areas and has started investing in smaller communities with populations under 15,000.
These electric scooters travel at a top speed of 15 mph and there will be 25 stationed in the Maple City to start says Steinbrecher.
“So, right now their plan is to bring in 25 scooters to start. Depending on demand they may increase that. The ordinance allows for any private electric scooter operator — that they can bring as many as 75 to town, maximum.”
The city will receive an annual licensing fee of $25 per scooter to mitigate the costs of additional electric scooter enforcement, the creation of the infrastructure to support it, and the education around the topic of safety.
Aldermen will consider the ordinance at their next meeting on Monday, April 19th.
