According to Emporia Main Street Executive Director Casey Woods, Mike Turnbull was a “catalyst” for the community, taking the initiative to invest in projects that would lead to “bigger and better things” for Emporia. The Turnbull Facade Grant Program, launched by Main Street in early December, honors the late owner of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home by giving Emporia businesses the opportunity to “activate” their exteriors through design.
Turnbull set aside money in his will to be used for economic development in Emporia, and Woods said the Facade Grant Program combines Turnbull's commitment to giving with his appreciation for design. Turnbull was a Main Street board member for many years and passed away in 2019. The Facade Grant Program is open to all commercial businesses in downtown Emporia and provides grant recipients up to $10,000 to remodel their exterior facade and “activate” spaces in the Upper floor available.
“They are [Turnbull Foundation] “I try to stay consistent with his memory and the things he valued and understood that were important to the community,” Woods said. “This is one of those precious pieces. Mike was a big supporter of entrepreneurs, he was one of the people who really understood the connection between place and placemaking and the success of these different entrepreneurial ventures, and in this way his spirit can continue to drive that success for Emporia.”
Companies have until January 31, 2025 to apply for a grant and up to 12 months to complete the project after grant approval. Grant recipients are expected to use the grant to remodel their exterior. Special consideration will be given to companies that wish to use the grant to open a previously closed space or a previously unused building. Exterior remodeling must be consistent with Main Street design guidelines and maintain the historic standards of the Emporia Downtown Historic District
“We want to make sure that windows are windows and that window openings are windows and not inappropriate materials,” Woods said. “We want to ensure that the original building material is showcased and not obscured. We want to ensure that the concept of bulkhead and storefront windows as well as skylight windows is replicated to allow for natural light and a welcoming atmosphere.”
Woods claimed that the focus on activating the upper floors is an attempt to address the growing housing shortage in Emporia and make the tax base more efficient.
“It also encourages businesses to stay open longer, makes them more profitable, and so you can do a variety of different things positively with one promotion,” Woods said. “We can create housing, we can continue to adaptively reuse our infrastructure, which is beneficial to taxpayers, and we can bring customers closer to different businesses.”
Companies must be able to match their grant amount dollar for dollar to demonstrate their ability to complete the project. No funds may be used for interior design or routine maintenance. Woods expects the exterior design changes will increase foot traffic downtown and attract new consumers.
Woods explained: “We don't like going into unfamiliar environments, but if you use the right design techniques, people know what the deal is, they know what they're getting into, they feel comfortable in that environment because they can see, what.” They walk into the store and that increases the likelihood that they will spend money on that business or generate that foot traffic that is important to the survival of the business.”
Woods counted Turnbull as a personal friend and mentor and said that Turnbull enjoyed the before and after effects of the facade grant program and the opportunity to give a contractor the opportunity to take their exterior design to the next level.
“I'm looking forward to putting a poster in the window saying 'This façade was made possible by the Turnbull Foundation' and knowing that Mike will be smiling down on him and me, knowing his personality, at everything that has happened “Causing a little trouble is the wrong thing to do,” Woods said.
