The city of Ocala is set to review a potential grant program for the neighborhood of Marion Heights.
Officially titled the Imagine North Magnolia Residential Facade and Property Improvement Grant, the grant is calculated to motivate homeowners within the Marion Heights neighborhood to pretty up the exteriors of their houses. Single-family homeowners would be allowed to apply for a $10,000 grant, of which the city would pay 75%.
Under the rules of the proposed grant, the money could be utilized for any house repairs in the following areas: exterior painting, paint removal from the building, exterior cleaning and repairs, replacement of facade details and materials (doors, walls, trim, and exterior lighting), repair or replacement of windows and awnings, new landscaping area (trees and shrubs) that are visible from the street or sidewalk, removal of hazardous trees, installation, repairs, or removals of fencing, and re-roofing. Homeowners who receive grant funds are not allowed to use them to help amend any active code violations.
The city staff is going to recommend approval of this grant, with a hearing scheduled for the end of January.
The proposed grant is only one piece of a larger effort to revitalize the neighborhood of Marion Heights. Other plans call for new sewer and water line extensions and a new park for residents.
