The program assists property owners within a defined area of historic downtown Paducah, stretching in general from Water Street to 7th Street and Jefferson Street to Kentucky Avenue. A map showing the program area in addition to the application, ordinance, and a list of qualified roofing contractors can be found on the City’s website www.paducahky.gov. Look under “Request for Bids-Proposals” under the Government tab.
Downtown Development Specialist-Main Street Director Melinda Winchester says, “When a building fails in our historic downtown, it creates a negative domino effect by potentially harming neighboring buildings and by limiting the number of buildings that can be occupied by businesses and living quarters. As more and more buildings are stabilized and occupied, businesses will thrive, and more people will see the benefits of living and working downtown.”
Since the Roof Stabilization Assistance Program began in 2013, a total of 12 properties have received assistance. The City of Paducah has $60,000 available for the program for this fiscal year.
Under the program, a property owner may be eligible to apply for financial assistance in replacing or repairing the building’s roof, with financial assistance per project not exceeding 50 percent of the construction costs or 50 percent of the stabilization funds allotted by the City for the fiscal year. Three bids from the list of qualified contractors and proof of financial ability from a qualified financial institution also are required to be submitted with the application.
Once applications are received, they will be ranked according to the following criteria: urgency of the roof stabilization, the contribution of the structure on the National Register of Historic Places, the structure’s relationship to adjacent structures, and the capital commitment of the property owner to rehabilitate the structure. The funds will not be available to the property owner until the rehabilitation work has been completed.
For more information about the programs that encourage the development, beautification, rehabilitation, and stabilization of Paducah’s downtown district, contact the Planning Department at 270-444-8690.
Pictured included with this article are before and after photos of the stabilization of the roof at 117 North 4th Street.
