The former Salvation Army Citadel at 18 Tannery Street East in Hespeler is getting a $100,000 interior and exterior makeover that city staff is recommending be partially funded by a core improvement grant.
The new owners of the former Baptist church have applied to the city’s Core Area Transformation Fund to redevelop the building into real estate office space. The city's economic development staff is recommending a grant be issued in the amount of $45,269.
It includes $25,524 from the Commercial Property Improvement Grant and a Commercial Building Restoration, Renovation and Improvement Grant of $19,745.
The 1892 church is on the city's heritage registry but isn't designated.
The Cambridge funding incentive program came into effect in August to stimulate private sector investment in the city’s three core areas. So far, the grants have attracted “significant interest,” according to staff.
Transforming the vacant church space will increase the city’s working population, increase traffic in Hespeler’s core and provide economic spin off to the surrounding businesses, says a report going to council next week.
