Plans to update an iconic downtown structure took another step forward Wednesday morning as Great Bend Economic Development Inc. President Sara Hayden presented B&H Developent with a ceremonial check for more than $85,000.
The check for $85,250 to aid with renovations on the old Masonic Lodge Building in the 2000 block of Lakin Avenue represents the first downtown loft grant awarded by the GBED with funds made available through the city of Great Bend.
The funds are the first of what will be up to $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds set aside by the City for GBED last July for a downtown rehabilitation project to assist in sprinkler system installation and other improvements to downtown lofts.
Half will come from each of the city’s two ARPA payments, the first of which came last spring, with the second coming later this year.
The grant awarded to B&H Development comes from these funds, and is a reimbursement grants that cover up to $5.50 per square foot for renovations.
According to Andrea Bauer, one of the owners of the building, the initial goal for the building which currently houses Great Bend Coffee and Yours Truly is to renovate the second floor of the building for multiple commercial uses. Plans for the building include a community gathering and event space, and a space for other local retailers to conduct business from. Initial plans include a variety of distinct spaces to accommodate a different sizes of events, as well as a catering kitchen.
Right now, though, the second floor lacks basic infrastructure such as plumbing, bathrooms, fire sprinklers, heating and air conditioning. “The grant helps underwrite some of those unseen costs that the public may not touch and feel but are necessary.”
Though the building has a third floor, right now the scope of the project is limited mainly to the second floor, with limited work on the first and third floors to make accommodate basic infrastructure on the second floor.
Bauer anticipates the overall cost of the project being upwards $600,000 so the grant is just a first step, and that B&H Development is still looking into other federal and state programs to help defray additional costs on the project.
“The scope of this renovation is pretty gigantic, and this is kind of the first piece of that puzzle to make it a viable project.”
Hayden said she is looking forward to seeing what the building will become. “They’ve got some really exciting plans, And we’re excited to help in any way that we can.”
“On behalf of B&H Development, we want to say thank you to (GBED) and to the city for their investment in downtown, but also their investment in the community,” Bauer said.
Under the terms of the grant, B&H Development has nine months to break ground on the project, and must have work completed by Dec. 31, 2024. Right now, though, Bauer said there is no specific timeline for completion of the project.
Bauer hopes other downtown businesses will follow suit, so Great Bend, “can enjoy a brighter tomorrow.”
