Plymouth awards Commercial Revitalization Grant for historic building restoration

The Plymouth Common Council approved a Commercial Revitalization Rebate Program Grant on Monday evening, awarding matching funds to help restore a historic 137-year-old building on West Monroe Street.

Susan Sullivan, who operates a home-based design, bid, and build business and architecture studio at 317 West Monroe Street, will receive a $1,932.50 reimbursement for exterior repairs to their property once the project is completed.

The building, constructed in 1889, originally served as a carriage house for the property currently known as Palmer Funeral Home. The structure combines residential and commercial use, with the business operating on the first floor and living quarters on the second floor.

Sullivan presented the council with details about necessary repairs to the brick tower located on the southwest corner of the historic structure. The tower has deteriorated over time and requires professional restoration work to preserve the building's architectural integrity.

Two quotes were obtained for the project, with the low bid of $3,865 submitted by D&D Masonry of LaPaz being selected for the work. The restoration project will include fixing previously patched areas on the tower, replacing damaged bricks, tuckpointing deteriorated mortar joints, removing loose paint, and washing down the tower.

Sullivan's application represents the first to be approved under Plymouth's amended Commercial Revitalization Rebate Program, marking a milestone in the city's economic development and historic preservation efforts.

The Commercial Revitalization Rebate Program offers a 50% reimbursement of qualifying exterior improvement costs with a maximum grant of $10,000.

In Sullivan's case, the $3,865 project cost qualifies for a 50% reimbursement of $1,932.50, which will be paid once the masonry work is completed and inspected.

In 2023, the Plymouth Board of Zoning Appeals granted Sullivan a variance of use for a home occupation, allowing them to operate their design, bid, and build business along with an architecture studio while maintaining residential use of the property.

requirements.