New granting program in Lethbridge to aid in restoring historic buildings

Aug 7, 2019 | 3:45 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Business and building owners in Lethbridge’s downtown, warehouse district, or along 13th Street North will soon be able to apply for a new stream of funding.

Formally called the Adaptive Reuse Incentive Program Policy, it has a total of $300,000 each year for the next three years to “facilitate the upgrading or adaptive reuse of historically-significant, deteriorating, or functionally-compromised buildings.”

“This gives them an opportunity to invest in their buildings that they might not otherwise have done, so this is a great thing during a recession period to support our businesses, preserve buildings, and make sure that we have some economic development in Lethbridge,” says City Councillor Belinda Crowson.

The matching grants can be used for structural matters, mold and asbestos abatement, accessibility, and fire protection systems. Each applicant can apply for a maximum of $100,000.

Crowson had the item amended to include a focus on historic preservation, including character defining elements and other costs deemed to be critical in addressing these issues.

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There was a lot of discussion in council about whether people should be able to apply at any time they want or just during a set period. In the end, they went with an open intake, feeling that it would be easier to administer and would allow anyone to apply.

Now that council has approved creating the granting program, staff will work on officially implementing it.

It is unclear when the city would start accepting applications.

by David Opinko