Reinvesting in Main Street: Wauconda approves $15K for building facade work

The exterior of an old building on a familiar corner in downtown Wauconda will be getting some attention with assistance from the village’s facade improvement program.

A $15,000 reimbursement for the property at 201-203 S. Main St., is the first this fiscal year beginning May 1 and will support nearly $70,000 in planned improvements.

The grant was approved last year but the building was sold. An updated application for various improvements by the new owner, Red-Tailed Enterprises, was approved this past week.

Applicant Peter Jablonski owns other properties in town, including the Bonner Road Inn, according to Allison Matson, village administrator.

“I think it's wonderful to see people who already own and operate businesses in Wauconda reinvest,” she said.

The building houses three street-level businesses — Bliss Wine Lounge, selling wine and specialty beers by the bottle or glass; Bevel Salon & Boutique; and, Mis Plantitis, a specialty retail plant shop; and four apartments above.

According to the application, the mix of uses actively contributes to the downtown business district, attracts residents and visitors, and helps sustain foot traffic that contributes to the vitality of the area.

Planned work includes tuckpointing the brick, removing old paint, repairing and replacing siding, painting window trim and other repairs and improvements.

The project is eligible for a village grant not to exceed 65% of the total cost to a maximum of $15,000. In this case, the village's portion is about 22% of the total. Reimbursements are not made until work is completed.

Owners say they’re committed to a long-term investment in the property and community and want to “elevate the quality and appearance of the downtown corridor,” according to submitted information.

“These improvements are intended to support small business growth, increase pedestrian activity and contribute to the continued revitalization of Main Street as a destination for dining, retail and community engagement,” village officials were told.

In the past two fiscal years, the village has granted about $67,000 for various projects including this latest one, as well as $30,000 for facade and other work at the former Middleton’s and Bulldogs restaurants on Main Street.

In a separate but related action this past week, the village board agreed this year to rebate the annual liquor license cost and renewal fees as an incentive to make exterior improvements. Businesses that sell liquor, such as bars and restaurants, pay higher fees than any other licensed type of business, according to the village.

Eligible licenses have fees ranging from $800 to $1,400 with $150 renewal fees.

“We have a lot of older buildings and they need work,” Matson said. “We recognize it’s a burden for a property owner to reinvest.”