Downtown buildings awarded grant money for facelifts

Some downtown buildings are getting a facelift this year.

The Downtown Management District board approved more than $65,336.92 in Commercial Faade Improvement Grant funds for three downtown buildings.

The project includes the W.S. Hills Building at 211 East San Antonio Avenue, a historic Henry Trost building, a currently vacant building at 502 North Oregon and the OLO Gallery at 504 San Francisco Avenue.

Stephen Ingle, co-founder of the OLO gallery and Creative Kids is already looking through sketches to determine how the entrance of his gallery will be transformed.

Creative Kids is a non-profit that exposes area children to the arts and digital media.

The gallery’s very own art will be part of the faade. Ingle said the improvements are need downtown.

“It also shows that other businesses and owners downtown are going with the progress of the city. With economic development and everything being renewed, I think it gives new energy to downtown.”

OLO Gallery was granted $24,112.50.

Other improvements include a lit sign, decorative steel shade canopies, and new doors and windows.

The two other buildings will also see similar renovations.

the grants from the Downtown Management District come on a first come, first serve basis.

Property owners can apply through the DMD website.