Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland has announced $250,000 is available under the Residential Opportunities on Main Street or ‘ROOMS’ grant program, to support new upper-floor housing in commercial buildings in designated Kansas Main Street communities. The opportunity to build upper-floor housing in commercial buildings will help address the housing shortage in Kansas. Upper-floor housing enhances the overall livability and functionality of downtowns. It also can lead to increased investment, improved infrastructure, a positive cycle of economic growth, a stronger tax base, and a greater sense of place and community identity.
Kansas Main Street Director Scott Sewell says housing in historic building in downtown areas helps generate excitement and vitality in the area while restoring buildings to maximize their full use. One of the cool things about the program is that it uses pictures of buildings in Downtown Ottawa as a backdrop to their promotion page.
The Ottawa Main Street Association says there could by as many as five applications from Ottawa for this funding, and they are encouraging development of the top floors of downtown businesses.
