The Geneva City Council on Monday approved two funding requests aimed at boosting downtown activity and supporting the arts.

The owner of 310 Campbell Street downtown will receive a $6,655 Historic Preservation and Adaptive Reuse Grant to convert a former storage building on the property into a new retail space. City officials said the project complements other recent improvements nearby and will “activate the area” by adding a small storefront footprint not currently available in Geneva’s commercial district.

The property is also the address of the STITCH SWITCH Men’s Consignment and Floral Wonders shops.

The council also awarded a $2,500 Destination Geneva grant to the Geneva Foundation for the Arts to launch the Artist Sunday Road Rally (which is scheduled for November 30). The new event will invite residents and visitors to follow a self-guided route of art studios, galleries, shops, and creative businesses.

Organizers described it as a revival of Geneva’s once-popular gallery walk. The grant covers the full startup cost in its first year.

Both grants support city goals of growing downtown retail, attracting events, and encouraging cultural activity. The city plans to review outcomes of funded events annually through grant program reporting.

Watch the full City Council meeting recording.

Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] with questions or comments.

Not signed up yet? Subscribe here.