Geneva expected to approve nearly $700K in ARPA grants

The Geneva City Council is expected to approve a series of economic development agreements Monday totaling $658,908 from its American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Of that, $303,249 is for seven business properties and $52,410 is for the city’s purchase of 35 new litter receptacles in the downtown business district as the current ones are in bad shape with rust and peeling paint.

The city’s American Rescue Plan Act funds must be designated before Dec. 31, or the city has to return the money to the U.S. Treasury, City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins said.

The city received the ARPA funds to support its response and recovery to the COVID-19 pandemic, she said.

“The city has until Dec. 31, 2026 to expend all the funds, however, we must identify how the allocation will be spent and obtain proof of obligation either by a contract, a PO (purchase order) or something of the sort by Dec. 31, 2024,” Dawkins said at a Dec. 2 Committee of the Whole meeting.

“To date, funds have been used for stormwater improvements, lead line replacements, facility improvements, consultant expense, and various economic and development related agreements,” Dawkins said.

The economic incentive agreements for seven businesses with ARPA funds are tied to historic preservation and adaptive reuse, Dawkins said.

The money is to fund 80% of the estimate cost of planned improvements for the businesses, which is less than 20% of the total cash or in-kind investments made into the properties in recent years, she said.

The Committee of the Whole voted unanimously to recommend approval. Mayor Kevin Burns also voted in favor.

The City Council will take final action.

The grants and their recipients are:

• $13,200 to the Fox River Geneva American Legion Post 75, 22 S. Second St. for repair or replacement of the windows on James Street. Members provided $37,250 of in-kind donations and $39,480 in Post costs for upgrades of plumbing, the kitchen and bar, roof repairs and painting.
• $14,000 for Goodlove LLC, the new owner of 101 S. Third St., currently occupied by Odalisque and Artemisia. Proposed interior improvements include replacing flooring, doors, hardware, handrails and updating smoke detectors and switches.
• $40,000 for Niche, 14 S. Third St., for proposed expansion to 12 S. Third St. for a retail aspect to the restaurant business. Work includes installing a bar, plumbing fixtures, an ADA bathroom and fire alarm.
• $35,424 for 214-218 W. State St. for restoration of the original brick and stone façade and installation of a fire alarm.
• $60,808 for 220-222 W. State St. for the removal of the structural awning, restoration of the original brick and stone façade and installation of a fire alarm.
• $101,209 for 306-318 W. State St. for restoration of the original brick and façade and installation of a fire alarm.
• $38,608 for Honeybird, 427 E. State St. for the cost of ADA bathrooms and the fire alarm. The new owners are working to create a dine in and carryout chicken restaurant.