Livingston County Blesses Kelly’s Saloon with $5K Facade Grant

GENESEO – The reconstruction project at Kelly’s Saloon on Main Street is a recipient of a sign and façade grant from the Livingston County Industrial Development Agency (IDA).

The IDA’s Sign and Façade program is designed to reward projects that maintain the architectural character of nine Livingston County villages, from Caledonia to Nunda. The Kelly’s project, which is likely to near completion in 2017, received $5,000 in matching funds through the program.

“The project is coming along and it really looks attractive up there,” said Mayor Richard Hatheway to the Village Board Monday night as he announced correspondence from Livingston County confirming the award.

The IDA found the reconstruction to be in full accordance with Geneseo’s Facade Renovation Guidelines, available here.

The original building was lost in a fire in July 2015.

The building is not reconstructed using its original materials, though the grant guidelines do stipulate that ‘whenever possible projects are to repair original materials before replacing them with new materials.’ However, the guidelines also provide that ‘If materials are beyond repair’ projects should ‘use materials that don’t require replacement as the only option for maintenance’ like brick, wood, or fibercement board. Specifically, ‘smooth fiber-cement clapboard would be an acceptable wood substitute because it can be painted, it can be used where wood is used, and it’s very durable when installed per manufacturer’s specifications.’

Building or business owners in these nine Livingston County villages can apply for up to $5,000 in matching funds for sign and/or façade improvements to downtown buildings through this program. Eligible uses of funds include repairs, painting, siding, windows, doors, awnings, and signage.