Belle Plaine’s downtown revitalization project may finally be weeks away from getting underway. At Monday’s Belle Plaine City Council work session, City Administrator Bill Daily said an offer has been made for a possible $1.5 million I-Jobs grant for façade renovation. Daily said the offer now moves into final negotiations, that nothing is definite and that it “is not a done deal.”

The state would provide the funding only for renovations of the facades of downtown buildings that are a part of the program. Earlier, property owners were asked to sign a temporary easement as a part of the application for a Community Development Block Grant. The city received $500,000 from that program. If the I-Jobs grant is awarded, that would mean more than $2.3 million in public dollars would be available for the approximately 35 downtown storefronts in the program.

Daily said there are strict limitations on the I-Jobs grant. Work would have to begin within 60 days of the final award and be completed within 18 months. There are no extensions for completion of the work, he said. And if the work is not completed in that time, the city would be liable for the total award.

Architects are already working on designs for the façade improvements. But if the grant is received, the city would have to act fast to solicit bids, approve them and award contracts within the allotted 60 days.

Even with the award, the project would be $500,000-$600,000 short of the initial estimate of the entire streetscape project, he said. But councilmen suggested that some of the items that would have been paid for with those funds could be postponed until some of the improvements are paid for.

During the regular meeting, the council approved a recommendation from Chief Kris Hudson to promote Officer Amy Baldus to a full-time position with the police department. He said that he and Daily had interviewed another prospect for the remaining open position and background checks on the applicant are underway.

The council approved payments on a couple of homes in the housing rehabilitation program, approved a payment of just over $110,000 for the storm sewer improvement project and reviewed a report from aquatics center Anna Upah. She reported that attendance and revenue has greatly improved from last year. She has initiated private pool parties, teen nights and kids’ parties for more use of the new facility.

She also reported that the high dive is currently closed, due to structural problems. Manufacturers and installers are discussing how to fix the problem.

She also proposed that the center close for general use for the season on August 21, with the traditional “doggie dip” set for Sunday, Aug. 22.