Heritage buildings that exist outside the downtown core — including the former Chinese United Church at 303 High Street West — could soon be eligible for municipal grant funding.
During its May 27 executive committee meeting, city council voted 6-1 on a recommendation to amend the Downtown Façade Improvement Grant Policy, and to approve a maximum reimbursement of $4,157.50 to the owners of 303 High Street West for renovations to the building on that property.
Coun. Brian Swanson was opposed.
The recommendation has to be approved at a future regular council meeting for it to be official.
Supporting all heritage buildings
The amendment to the Downtown Façade Improvement Grant Policy would make all designated municipal heritage buildings — regardless of location — eligible for the grant funding, according to a city administration report.
The policy used the downtown boundary as a way to determine the eligibility for the grant. An application for funding for façade improvements from the owners of 303 High Street West was received at the end of March. Even though this structure is Moose Jaw’s oldest building, it is one block west of the boundary area.
Administration notes there are four such buildings outside the downtown area: Ross School, the chapel in the Moose Jaw Cemetery, the former Chinese United Church, and Jitney Dance Hall in Connor Park.
Moose Jaw’s Official Community Plan (OCP) provides the structure to guide the physical, economic, social, environmental and cultural development of the municipality.
This includes focusing on the revitalization and improvement of the downtown, and the conservation and interpretation of the community’s built heritage in a planned, selective and economically feasible manner to benefit residents now and in the future.
The next executive committee meeting is June 10.
