Several downtown businesses will get a little sprucing up over the next few months with the help of more than $6,500 that was awarded through the 2019 Main Street El Dorado Mini-Grant Program.
Beth Brumley, executive director of Main Street, said eight businesses received mini-grants for the 2019 program.
The MSE Design Committee and Mark Miller, small business consultant for Main Street Arkansas, sifted through the applications that were submitted by the Sept. 13 deadline and selected eight candidates, who were notified five days later.
Brumley said the grant recipients and their proposed projects will not be publicly announced until the projects are completed.
The projects must be completed by April 15.
At least one downtown business is using its award to install a new awning, Brumley said.
She previously issued a reminder that exterior projects that were approved for a mini-grant must be presented to the El Dorado Historic District Commission for a Certificate of Appropriateness prior to implementation.
A COA is required for most exterior projects within the city’s commercial historic district, which covers much of downtown El Dorado, so the EHDC can ensure that the work fits within the design guidelines for the district.
Funding for the mini-grant program comes from revenue that is generated by Main Street El Dorado events and promotions and from a
$15,000 Downtown Revitalization Grant that MSE received in June.
DTRGs are awarded by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program and funneled through Main Street Arkansas to 37 local Main Street programs and downtown communities that are part of the Main Street network around the state.
Earlier this year, Brumley explained that the AHPP expanded the terms of the mini-grant program to cover interior improvements — including painting, lighting, flooring and window treatments — in addition to exterior projects.
“They can now also be used for interior work that will stay with the buildings, even if the owner of the building or the business moves on,” Brumley said.
Main Street is also soliciting ideas and assistance from the public to apply for another grant that is being offered by the Arkansas Department of Parks, Tourism and Heritage.
A Public Art Grant will be made available only to Main Street programs around the state, Brumley said, adding that the application period opens in December.
Brumley and Main Street board members said they have already heard several ideas for a local, public art project, including downtown murals and an expansion of an existing project in which replicas of guitars are displayed around the Union County Courthouse square.
There has also been a question about whether another proposed public art project would fit within the criteria for the Public Art Grant.
Main Street is looking to launch the city’s first crosswalk art project.
Such projects have become a popular trend in urban landscape design and traffic/pedestrian safety measures in cities across the country, MSE board members said.
For several months, Main Street has been working with its Design Committee, the city of El Dorado and the South Arkansas Arts Center to implement a crosswalk art project downtown.
Brumley said MSE will be seeking out local artists, adding that SAAC is offering guidance and helping to hammer out some of the design details.
MSE board member Greg Withrow recently asked if the proposed crosswalk art project would be eligible for the Public Art Grant and Brumley said she would check on the matter.
To submit ideas for public art projects, call the Main Street office at 870-862-4747 or send an email to director@ mainstreeteldorado.org.
Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].