Valparaiso’s downtown facade grant program’s annual $10,000 budget is already earmarked for projects this summer.
The City Council awarded the last of the money March 24, with $8,550 going to Rolling Stonebaker pizzeria at 45 Lafayette Ave., $25,000 going to businesses at 13 Washington St. and another $25,000 going to 15 Washington St.
The new grant will bring Rolling Stonebaker’s total to $21,049, including the amount it received in May for improving the front of the business, City Planner Tyler Kent said.
Art Georgion said he and his sister, Andrea Georgion, plan to improve the side facing the skating rink and pavilion to the south and make improvements for the planned rooftop dining for Rolling Stonebaker.
The rooftop, accessible by stairs from Lincolnway and Lafayette, could seat 40 to 60 people, he said.
At 13 Washington St., developer Ken Blaney plans to spend $63,348 on facade improvements, and at 15 Washington St., he plans to spend $63,213, making him eligible for the maximum reimbursement of $25,000 for each, according to city documents.
The grant reimburses up to $25,000 for pre-approved improvements and repairs, Kent said
Blaney is dividing the former Langer and Langer first-floor offices back into the two original buildings and removing the stucco covering them, although the upper floors will remain apartments.
Aftermath Cider and Winery plans to move from its 454 S. Greenwich St. address when Blaney’s work finishes about June 1, putting a production area in one building and the public purchasing and dining at the other address, Blaney and Aftermath owner Nicole Caylor said at the March 13 Site Review Committee meeting.
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The council awarded the rest of the grant budget last month to Stephen and Jill Buck, who plan to make a wine bar and restaurant at 1 Napoleon St. in the former Buck’s Shoe Repair.
The Bucks received the maximum $25,000 for the Napoleon-side improvements and another $25,000 for the Lincolnway-side improvements.
Mayor Jon Costas said that the city could find more economic development income tax money for any possible future projects.
Also at the meeting, the council approved a downtown three-way liquor license for a sushi restaurant that plans to open this summer.
Furin Sushi & Bar will go into 21 Lincolnway, the building where the restaurant Margarita’s was until January.
Owners Daniel Wang and Annie Zhang said they were looking for several years for a place to open their first restaurant, and Valparaiso seems the right place for their the family-style sushi, noodles and teriyaki restaurant.
James D. Wolf Jr. is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.