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Downtown Facade & Building Improvement Grants
In an effort to assist local businesses and property owners, the City has launched two pilot grant programs. The pilot program has funding for up to 5 grants. The initial phase applies only to properties within the Downtown Overlay District, additional areas may be considered in the future.
Façade Improvement Grant Program
The City intends to assist downtown building owners in improving the outward appearance of their buildings through the creation of a Façade Improvement Grant Program. The City will provide financial assistance to building owners and qualified tenants willing to make significant private investment to enhance their building exteriors in a publicly visible manner. Funds will be distributed via a competitive application process with application submittals due October 31, 2016.
Building Improvement Grant Program
Similar to the Façade Improvement Grant Program, the City intends to assist downtown building owners in reusing and establishing new building uses through the creation of the Building Improvement Grant Program. Repurposing or changing building uses can trigger expansive code requirements, accessibility issues, and seismic updates which often derail projects before they begin. The City will provide financial assistance to building owners willing to make significant private investment to complete improvements related to building reuse and occupancy. Funds will be distributed via a competitive application process with application submittals due October 31, 2016.
Housing Blight
One of the largest problems facing the City is housing blight. Many houses are abandoned and without regular maintenance deteriorate to the point that the houses are no longer habitable. Other homes are vacant because the mortgage company has not yet gone through foreclosure. All of this has a negative impact on the value of homes in many neighborhoods.
Learn about how Vacant Property Registration will help prevent blight. LEARN MORE
Street Maintenance
Street Maintenance
September 26 to September 29, 2016: Crews will be repairing the City’s portion of the alley behind Wong’s Restaurant between 3rd and 4th Streets. This area will be closed to traffic while the crews are working.
September 27, 2016: Asphalt overlay on 2 blocks of Owens Street.
September 28, 2016: Asphalt dig out and soft spot repair on Earle Street.
September 29, 2016: Utility cut repairs county-wide.
All planned work will take place weather permitting.
Painting
September 27 through 30 the painting crew will be painting parking “t”s and “l”s in the downtown core along with crosswalks at Hilyard and Washburn Way and the railroad crossing at Portland Street. In order to try to cause minimal traffic and parking disruption, this work will take place between the hours of 4 a.m. and 7 a.m.
During the hours of 7 a.m. to 230 p.m. the crew will be painting parking lots in Moore Park.
All planned painting will take place weather permitting.
CAPITAL PROJECTS
Melrose Water Main Upgrade Project:
- Dependent on the paving schedule, traffic may be detoured around Melrose St. between Pacific Terrace & Newcastle St.
Pelican Booster Project:
- Montelius between Nevada and Gage Streets will have intermittent lane closures, controlled by flaggers.
Altamont Utilities Improvements Project:
- Altamont Drive between Bristol and Barry will be open to local traffic only. A detour is in place to bypass traffic around this block of Altamont.
OTHER
Klamath Union High School Renovation Project:
While this is not a City project we would like citizens to know of the traffic changes and lane closures in this area while this project is going on:
- The entirety of Monclaire Street will be closed possibly to the end of the year.
- Alameda Avenue between Monclaire and Wall Street will be self-regulated (no flaggers, just signs) down to one lane during periods of low traffic volume also possibly until the end of the year.
The City would like to thank Citizens, in advance for proceeding with caution in areas where crews are working. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the City of Klamath Falls Public Works Department at (541) 883-5363.