Grants set to boost beautification efforts for local historic districts

By Cameron Montemayor

Four of St. Joseph’s historic neighborhoods will see new beautification projects after getting a boost from local grants.

St. Joseph City Council gave the green light at its last meeting for four $20,000 grants as part of the city’s Urban Homestead rehabilitation program. The American Rescue Plan Act-funded program offers reimbursement grants to help preserve, restore and rehabilitate neighborhoods and homes.

Grants will go to the Harris-Kemper Historic District, Museum Hill Historic District, Old Town North Neighborhood Association and Main Street St. Joseph.

The Harris-Kemper Historic District, which has homes that have existed since the mid-1800s, plans to use grant funds to revitalize its popular butterfly garden by building a sustainable habitat for the insects. The walkway garden — located near the intersection of 18th and Faraon streets — also includes play equipment for small children.

“Of all the plants we have, the milkweed is the one we had the hardest time getting established,” said longtime Harris-Kemper resident and association member Wickie Utley. “We now have three little plots … and we want to actually put in a lot of milkweed.”

Milkweed is the sole host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars. Adult butterflies also pollinate the milkweed. Studies show monarch butterfly populations have declined by more than 60% since 1980.

The grant will not only allow them to improve a community gem but strengthen a needed haven for the threatened species.

“Pesticides and things and the different trends in landscaping tend to sometimes cut down on some of the their necessary food sources,” said Cyndee Dvorak, Harris-Kemper Association member. “If we can give them a boost, we’re happy to give them a boost. And it’s beautiful.”

Grant funds will also be used to install an irrigation system to keep plants thriving, along with a new sculpture and murals for garden fencing.

With St. Joseph Main Street’s grant, a little used alleyway by the Missouri Theater in Downtown will hopefully become a prominent corridor, according to Christy George, Downtown liaison for Mosaic Life Care.

“We think it’s going to be a whole new space that was underutilized before and we’re going to fill it up and it’s going to be vibrant,” George said. “You’re going to want to come visit it and you’re going to feel safe when you walk down the alley.”

George hopes to have the alleyway project completed in line with the opening of the Children’s Discovery Center later this year.

With Coleman Hawkins Park on one side and the Missouri Theater on the other, George thinks the beautification project will offer a convenient and artistic boost to Downtown foot traffic, especially during popular events like Ales West and Sounds of Summer. The alleyway itself could become an event space.

“We’re going to do some festoon lighting. We’re going to do some colorful banners up top and then a wonderful mural on the martial arts building that will reflect our community,” she said.

The Urban Homestead Program, which began in 2023, was initially designed to focus on low- and moderate-income homeowners, but the program has since expanded to allow for historic neighborhoods to get a boost of up to $25,000 for sustainable improvements.

“We were thrilled that the city designated five historic neighborhoods to get these funds … It showed some recognition and that maybe they’re becoming a little bit more open to that,” said Mary Kottenstette, president of the Harris-Kemper Historic Neighborhood Association.

With no shortage of historic infrastructure in St. Joseph, grant winners appreciate every bit that can help make it shine in the long run.

“We love it. We’re so appreciative that they opened it up for this area of Downtown and we think that is going to benefit all of us as a whole community,” George said.