(KNZA)---Grants will be sought for the rehabilitation and reuse of a historic downtown Hiawatha building.
The Hiawatha City Commission at their August 10th meeting approved a memorandum of understanding between the city and RHJ Enterprises, allowing Freelance Grants K-C to seek grants for the historic Brown County Printing Building in the 100 block of South Sixth Street, on the east side of the courthouse square.
City Administrator Brad Scott was authorized to sign the agreement.
The agreement does not obligate the city to use any city funds in the grant process.
It will allow the building owner to proceed with an environmental assessment and cleanup efforts.
James Farnen, formerly of Hiawatha, will serve as the principal grant writer.
The two-story brick commercial building was constructed around 1895-1896. It has been vacant for several years and most recently housed an insurance agency operated by Dean Tollefson and a law firm operated by Robert Thornburgh.
