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The Geneva Historic Preservation Commission agreed to recommend a new Historic Preservation Residential Façade Grant Program at its March 17 meeting, with some adjustments to the draft program guidelines.
If approved, the program would make up to $50,000 available annually to help owners of historically designated homes cover the cost difference when preservation-appropriate materials (like original wood windows, period-correct siding, etc.) are significantly more expensive than modern alternatives.
Here's what to know:
Who would be eligible: Homeowners in the Geneva Local Historic District with properties rated Contributing or Significant, plus individually landmarked properties. Properties with the potential to be upgraded to Contributing or Significant through the proposed work may also qualify.
How the money works: Grants max out at $10,000 per project and are structured as reimbursements — meaning the work has to be done and approved before payment is issued.
What it covers: According to city documents, street-facing facade work only will be covered. Windows, siding, doors, historically appropriate cladding, and removal of non-original features would be eligible. Interior work and new additions would not.
Commissioners noted that they have seen homeowners repeatedly choose cheaper alternate materials not because they wanted to, but because the cost gap is hard to justify out of pocket. This grant would aim to make the right choice more financially doable.
City council will take up the recommendation at a future meeting.
Read more about the proposed program beginning on page 46 of this agenda document.
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