The City of Aurora is proud to announce that applications are being sought for a new Historic Preservation Grant Program. The application deadline for the 2024 cycle is Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 5:00 PM. Applications can be submitted to the following: emailed to [email protected] (please provide all required documents in one email); mailed to City of Aurora, Zoning and Planning, 44 E. Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60507; or delivered to Zoning and Planning, 77 S. Broadway, Aurora, IL 60505. If applied for previous grant cycles, please resubmit application to be considered for the 2024 cycle.

The primary objective of the City of Aurora’s Preservation Commission is the conservation and revitalization of the City’s historic neighborhoods. Key to this effort is the preservation of the City’s unique heritage as exemplified through historic and architecturally significant residential structures. The City of Aurora has set aside funding in order to help property owners achieve these objectives.

The Preservation Grant Program is a competitive, reimbursable grant for exterior historic rehabilitation projects. Payments will only be made following approval of the grant and upon completion and approval of the work. The minimum amount of each grant is $5,000 and the maximum is $20,000. All grants at or under $10,000 requires no cash match. All grants over $10,000 require a dollar for dollar amount for every dollar over $10,000. 

Requirements

• Designated as historic within the City of Aurora
• Owner-occupied residential property
• Not more than two (2) living units unless originally built with more
• Proof of ownership
• Exterior work only
• The following work is ineligible: driveway repavement, new asphalt roofs, fencing, and landscaping
• Detailed narrative of scope 
• Two cost estimates
• Meet all other eligibility requirements found on the Historic Preservation Grant Guidelines
• This is a reimbursement Grant Program where the City will reimburse the owner after the work is completed and approved
• Work completed prior to grant approval is not eligible for reimbursement

Tips for Submittal

• Provide a detailed narrative and cost breakdown, in addition to the cost estimates.
• If scope of work differs between cost estimates, please include an explanation.
• Consider if the project can be done in phases as the City may not be able to fund the entire project in one year.
• If project can be done in phases, provide cost estimate for each phase.
• Previous grantees are eligible to apply for a grant every year.
• Due to the limited amount of funding available, applications will be ranked by the Preservation Commission based upon project scope.
• Project that are often ranked higher include (but are not limited to):

1. Those that have a major impact on the streetscape, such as removing aluminum siding and porch restoration.
2. Those that address major structural concerns, such as sinking or leaning porches, bays, chimneys, etc.
3. Preserving original fabric, such as window and door restoration or retaining half-round gutters.
4. Removing inappropriate work done before the historic district designation, such as replacing vinyl windows, removing aluminum siding, removing shutters and awnings, opening an enclosed porch, etc.
5. Those that correct issues that will lead to further damage, such as water infiltration on soffits and fascia.
6. Please note you should address what is causing an issue first before repairing the visible deterioration.
7. Routine maintenance, such as painting, does not typically rank high. 

Documents - Grant Application

Historic Preservation Grant Guidelines

Historic Preservation Grant Application

Documents - Grant Recipients (only required after grant approval)

Historic Preservation Grant Compliance Checklist

Historic Certificate of Appropriateness

Contractors Sworn Statement

Preservation Grant Reimbursement Request