BY DAN HILDEBRAN
Monitor Editor
LAKE BUTLER— A once dormant grant program is now gaining attention after one downtown business took advantage of the opportunity.
The City of Lake Butler’s Community Redevelopment Agency secured money for upgrading the facades of downtown businesses several years ago. However, according to City Manager Dale Walker, no one applied for the $5,000 grants.
Walker added that he thought merchants and property owners were hesitant to apply for the free money because they couldn’t visualize how their properties would benefit.
“You know, it’s one thing to ask,” said Walker. “It’s another thing to go knock on the door and show them a design of how their business would look after the work was complete.”
So, with the help of designer Elaine Fletcher, Walker offered to show potential grant recipients what their businesses would look like after the work.
The first taker was B Squared and building owner Clay Driggers.
Walker said the result was so impressive that now other downtown businesses and property owners are asking about how they also can get the façade grants.
Nearing completion is the second building to receive the help: the Robert A. Driggers Building on Main Street.
“We got two that took it, and now all of the sudden there’s more that are interested, and we’re starting to find the synergy that makes this thing roll,” Walker said.
Fletcher said she is not a professional designer but rather someone with a background in construction and remodeling.
She agreed with Walker that the problem with the grant program was that potential applicants could not see how the money would improve the look of their businesses.
“Most folks can’t visualize what can be done with a small amount of money,” she said. “It can have a big impact.”
Fletcher said she came up with the design for a refreshed B Squared , contacted some suppliers and contractors for cost information, then turned everything over to Walker.
Fletcher said the improvements to the Robert A. Driggers Building is mostly changing the color scheme.
Both Fletcher and Walker said they hope more property owners apply for the grants during the next round of funding.
Fletcher, who volunteers her services to the project, said she enjoys the opportunity to improve the town.
“When one business in a town benefits, it helps everybody,” she said. “Hopefully it will generate more customers for the entire downtown area.”
Fletcher said she hopes Lake Butler can emulate other small North Florida towns like High Springs and Alachua, which are known for their charming atmosphere and appealing look.
“They’re just fun places to go because they’re cute,” she said.
