City Council Minutes 2014 02 04 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Meeting Minutes February 4, 2014 Page 10 of 28 The applicant is also requesting landmark status for the existing structure, built for E.J. "Joe" DiFrancia by the Fischer Family in 1904. The building was owned by the DiFrancia family until 1945 and served as a saloon and restaurant as well as a meeting and organizing place for the City's Italian immigrants. It is one of the two remaining Front Street saloons and remains one of the best commercial structures in the City. The structure has maintained its overall form very well, particularly its unique roofline with the two gables and the angled front entrance. The front windows were replaced with smaller windows and the applicant proposes to enlarge the windows to their original form. The front door will also be replaced to match the original door. The structure has maintained its architectural history very well and has a very strong social history. The structure was associated with several businesses and the Italian immigrant community throughout the years in Louisville and is a prominent building in downtown Louisville. The Historic Preservation Commission reviewed the application and unanimously recommended landmark approval for the structure. The City staff also recommends landmark approval. PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION GRANT AND NEW CONSTRUCTION GRANT FOR THE DIFRANCIA SALOON LOCATED AT 740 FRONT STREET The applicant is requesting grants from the Historic Preservation Fund. The grant requests are for the $10,000 signing bonus, $65,000 in flexible grants, $100,000 in focused grants to be matched by the applicant, and $75,000 for new construction, totaling $250,000. The applicant is already eligible for the $6,000 reimbursement for a structural assessment under Resolution No. 2, Series 2014. The proposed preservation and restoration work on the existing structure includes structural work, upgrades to mechanical systems, and exterior improvements. In total, the eligible grant requests exceed the allowed funding total, so staff recommends grants be awarded at the maximum level of $175,000. New construction grant may be awarded up to $75,000. Staff believes the proposed addition qualifies for a new construction grant, and recommended an award of $75,000. The recommended focused, flexible, and new construction grants, along with the signing bonus, result in a total recommended grant amount of $250,000. The applicant will be investing more than the required $100,000 match into the project. The Historic Preservation Commission reviewed the grant request on January 13, 2014 and unanimously approved a recommendation of approval for the preservation and restoration grant and the new construction grant. Staff recommends City Council approve Resolution No. 7, Series 2014, approving the PUD, with the following condition: 1.The existing "Tivoli Beer" sign on the north façade shall be allowed to remain. Staff also recommends City Council approve Resolution No. 8, Series 2014, approving the landmark request, and Resolution No. 9, Series 2014, approving the grant requests, with no conditions.