Kansas Department of Commerce
TOPEKA – It is a familiar sight in smaller Kansas communities throughout the state: vibrant downtown districts whose allure is somewhat diminished by one or two vacant or dilapidated buildings. In many cases, a major barrier to making these structures useful again is the high cost of renovation.
Last fall, the Kansas Department of Commerce launched a new community revitalization program, the Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL), to address the issue. With HEAL, the state assists building owners with matching grants to cover eligible expenses as historic properties are revitalized. HEAL was made possible through a collaboration with the Patterson Family Foundation, which has been dedicated to strengthening rural communities since 2007.
Today, Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland announced the inaugural HEAL grant recipients. Slightly more than $1.8 million in matching grants will be awarded to help 32 projects across the state.
“The goal of the HEAL is to rescue downtown buildings and restore them as productive spaces for business and community use,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary Toland said. “Seeing our downtown districts turned into more attractive and vibrant places to live and work, along with creating new jobs and services for Kansans, is key to our state’s prosperity.”
Grants are divided into two funding categories, Emergency and Regular, for cities with fewer than 50,000 residents. The program is designed to transform buildings for new or expanding businesses, housing, arts and culture, civic engagement, childcare or entrepreneurship – and once again become economic drivers in the community.
“Vibrant downtown areas are important to the future prospects of smaller communities, so it was not a difficult decision for us to join the Department of Commerce and its partners in funding HEAL grants,” said Lindsey Patterson Smith, President of the Patterson Family Foundation. “HEAL grants give architecturally significant buildings a new lease on life, so they can continue to play vital roles in their communities.”
Emergency HEAL was established to make strategic investments in underutilized, dilapidated or buildings in danger of collapse. Twenty-four applications were received for this category. A total of 10 projects are receiving $585,000 in matching grant funds.
Emergency HEAL Award recipients include:
Elmo Building, Burden – $40,000
Union Gas Building Renovation, Caney – $65,000
Pretty Boy Floyd's Underground Restaurant and Event Venue, Ellsworth – $65,000
Cohn-Gardner Hill Department Store, Eudora – $65,000
The Eureka Project, Eureka – $41,000
McDonald Hall, Fort Scott – $65,000
Kollock and Bragunier-Otte Buildings, Peabody – $65,000
David Rettiger Building, Strong City – $65,000
Jacob Engles Dry Goods/Restaurant and Distillery, Wellington – $64,000
Stiles Mortuary Building, Wilson – $50,000
A total of 220 applications were received for Regular HEAL grants. Twenty-two projects from across the state are receiving $1,294,715 in matching grant funds.
Regular HEAL award recipients include:
The Star Block Restaurant/Retail, Osage City – $65,000
Restoration of 17 E. Fourth Ave – Brewery Manufacturing, Emporia – $65,000
HL Hart Building Coworking & Apartment, Newton – $65,000
Historic Lowis Building – Nesting Expansion, Colby – $65,000
Atchison Riverfront Brewery Project, Atchison – $65,000
Letha’s, Plainville – $8,000
Farmer & Florist Renovation/Expansion, Marysville – $65,000
Weathered Wood Home Store, Council Grove – $65,000
Heartland Gamebirds & Lodge, Courtland – $65,000
The Gym at Matfield Green Recording Studio, Matfield Green – $65,000
1010 Main, Goodland – $65,000
113 W. Lincoln Ave – Fitness Center, Lincoln – $65,000
Bill and Essie’s BBQ LLC, Marion – $65,000
Farmers Union Co-op Rehab-Children’s Museum, Alma – $65,000
Farmhouse Fresh in Jetmore, Jetmore – $57,260
OmGrown Yoga & Wellness Collective, Baldwin City– $41,780
The Landing Restaurant & Outdoor Gathering Place, Great Bend – $43,960
Junction City Brewery & Restaurant, Junction City – $65,000
Midland Theater Front of the House & Stage Restoration, Coffeyville – $65,000
Marquee Performing arts Center, Winfield – $38,715
Tree House of Early Learning, Independence – $65,000
Robin’s Nest, Minneola – $65,000