SEBASTIAN–Several business owners in Sebastian are asking for nearly $60,000 to help fix up their shops and improve their signage along US 1 and other downtown roads.
The businesses, which include Southern Sisters, Squidly’s Books, Earl’s Hideaway Lounge and numerous others, will find out next Wednesday if their requests for funds will be approved.
The Sebastian City Council/Community Redevelopment Agency will consider the requests at a meeting set to begin at 6 p.m.
The funds would come from the city’s redevelopment agency budget, which has a total of $77,000 available for Facade, Signage and Landscaping grants between left over funds from the last fiscal year and those set aside for the current year.
Southern Sisters Cafe, 709 US 1, is seeking two grant allocations of $7,500 each for a new sign along US 1 and a replacement awning for the front of the eatery. The cafe had applied for a grant earlier this year in the prior grant cycle but was put on hold due to the need for more information.
Earl’s Hideaway Lounge, 1405 Indian River Dr., wants to replace its sign, which currently does not conform to current city standards along the waterfront. The proposed new sign does not utilize many “fishing village” Florida vernacular elements, according to the Facade, Signage and Landscaping committee. However, the committee determined that the new sign would be an improvement over the existing one and has recommended approval.
Fountain Plaza, 245 Sebastian Blvd., is asking for no more than $7,500 to help offset the cost of a new sign, which would replace the current pole sign that doesn’t match city standards.
A monument sign would take the place of the pole sign.
Kim Ellis Insurance/David Haeseler, 990 US 1, wants to replace its current sign and add new landscaping to the site. The business is requesting no more than $4,400 to perform the work.
The new sign will replace the current non-conforming pole sign along US 1. The sign is also expected to match the building’s exterior in color.
Philipson/920 Plaza, 920 US 1, is asking for $7,500 to be put toward a new sign and landscaping, both of which were approved by the committee.
Riverfront Chill & Grill, 1401 Indian River Dr., is seeking funds for both a new sign and more landscaping, for a total of $7,000. The proposed sign, which would be along the river, is expected to be carved and lit externally, rather than be illuminated internally.
The FSL committee recommended such a sign for the business because it would better fit the fishing village concept along Indian River Drive.
River Grille, 480 US 1, is seeking $3,500 for a new sign, which is expected to be painted to match the building’s exterior.
Squidly’s Books, 717 Coolidge St., would like to have a sign on Coolidge Street and replace the sign currently attached to the building. The business is seeking a maximum of $5,500 to go toward the work.
The bookstore also wants to spruce up the landscaping as part of the overall project.
Washington Plaza, 1108-1140 US 1, is asking for $7,500 in grant funds to help pay for a new, carved sign with external lighting. The committee recommended the sign, like it did for Riverfront Chill & Grill, for aesthetic and environmental reasons.
The new sign will replace the existing pole sign, which does not conform to city sign standards.
Two other businesses have submitted applications, which have not yet been approved. Those businesses include Professional Title, 1546 US 1, and HALO animal shelter, 712 Jackson Street. The Facade, Signage and Landscaping Committee needed more information about the proposed projects before it can decided whether or not fund the requests.
Angler Inn, 805 Indian River Dr., and Island Smoothie Cafe, 1400 US 1, also applied for funds, but the committee opted to not fund them.
