#2 Authorize submission of a grant application for Tallman House
Community Development Department Memorandum
Date: November 28, 2011
TO: Janesville City Council
FROM: Gale S. Price, AICP, Manager of Building and Development Services
SUBJECT: Action on a Request from the Blackhawk Questers to Authorize the
Submission of a Grant Application for Restoration of Five Front Window
Units for the Tallman House.
_____________________________________________________________________
The Community Development Department has been contacted by Deb Wood, representing
the Blackhawk Questers, one of four local chapters of Questers in the Janesville area. The
Questers was founded in 1944 to further knowledge and education about antiques and to
encourage the preservation, restoration, and conservation of historic buildings, sites and
monuments. The Blackhawk Questers are interested in applying for a grant from the
Questers International Grants Fund for a project for the Tallman House. Grants up to $6,000
can be obtained from the international organization for local preservation projects. This
request is in addition to the request made by the Monterey Questers in July.
The Blackhawk Questers have previously raised and donated money to other historical
groups and projects in Rock County including the Hanchette Bartlet Homestead, Beloit
Historical Society, Milton House, Lincoln-Tallman House and most recently the Frances
Willard Schoolhouse located at the Fairgrounds in Janesville.
Restorative construction on a publicly-owned historic building is eligible for a grant. The
Blackhawk Questers desire to request a grant to restore 5 windows on the west (main)
façade. Restoration of these would include the sash window, trim, cast iron header, bracket
sill and carved wooden crown. Completion of this project would go hand in hand with the
storm window restoration project, if both are awarded grants.
International grants will be awarded in May of 2012 and the work must be completed within
one-year of the award. Because the Tallman House is a City-owned building, the City Council
must grant authorization to apply for the grant and implicitly use the funds for this restoration
effort.
Recommendation
The Community Development Department recommends that the City Council support a
motion to give authorizing the Blackhawk Questers to submit an application for a grant for
restoration of the five (5) front window units for the Tallman House to the International Grants
Fund.
City Manager Recommendation
I concur with the recommendation to submit the Grant Application for $6,000.