EDA coordinator Heather Bregel said they have $113,000 in their 2024 Capital Fund grant remaining. These funds need to be assigned to a project by May 5.

Bregel proposed three projects to use the capital grant based on a needs assessment. The first project proposed was parking lot repairs to Broadway Haus. The city engineer recommended crack sealing, patching and seal coat application to extend the life of the pavement. The parking lot was fully repaved in 2011. This is the first repair done to the lot in 15 years.

Bregel said the preventative maintenance will preserve the condition and delay the needs for repairs.

The second project was also connected to Broadway Haus, but for interior improvements. In 2017, the EDA had Broadway Haus common room carpet replaced and the wall repainted. Due to normal wear and tear it is time for another repair and replacement, however this time the carpet will be replaced with hard surface flooring.

Bregel said tenants prefer the hard surfaces to carpets. Some of the apartment units have already had the carpet removed in favor of hard surfaces. Bregel said hard surface flooring is easier to clean than carpet and there are fewer issues with indoor allergies, which is a problem for tenants with respiratory issues.

The final project is improvements to the EDA’s 10 rental houses. The improvements would include adding insulation to the attics of the homes and replacing gutters and downspouts.

The EDA board unanimously approved staff moving forward with all three improvement projects and seeking bids.

Bregel said if there was any balance remaining in the 2024 capital grant after approving bids, the remaining money would be placed in an operating fund for the properties.