By Amanda Raymond
amanda.raymond@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — The City Council will consider Downtown Revitalization Incentive Grants for two downtown projects.

The council will meet on Sept. 6 at 5 p.m. at 217 S. Main St.

The first is a $62,360 grant for the Morgan Ridge Brewery and Rail Walk Eatery at 421 N. Lee St. According to meeting documents, 8,850 square feet of the vacant industrial building on North Lee Street is being turned into a craft brewery and restaurant.

According to an Economic Impact Analysis submitted to the city by Downtown Salisbury, Inc., the restaurant and brewery are expected to create at least 23 full-time jobs and 18 part-time jobs.

The grant funds will go towards the preservation and the adaptive reuse of the historic building, while the new business will help improve the tax base and enhance the downtown economy.

The second Downtown Revitalization Incentive Grant comes from the Washington Building project at 118 N. Main St. The $130,076 grant will be used to fix up the upper floors, which are being turned into five new apartments on the third floor and one on the second floor.

The full project, which includes the Shuckin Shack moving into the first floor, will create at least five new full-time jobs and 15 part-time jobs in the restaurant, according to another Economic Impact Analysis submitted by Downtown Salisbury, Inc.

The project will also help increase the tax base, as well as the number of people living downtown, which could in turn could improve the market demand for downtown retailers, restaurants and services, according to meeting documents.

In other business, the council will:

• Recognize Janie Allen for helping to bring art into the city and preserving the Salisbury Mural.
• Allow retiring Master Police Officer Lynn Foster to be issued a sidearm and badge.
• Hear a presentation about the Downtown Revitalization Incentive Grant Program.
• Consider adopting a resolution to move forward with selling city-owned property to Habitat for Humanity for $20,000 and accepting a property donation from Habitat for Humanity.
• Hear an update on site options for a proposed dog park.
• Consider appointing additional members to the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee and make appointments to different boards and commissions.
• Hear public comment.
• Go into a closed session to talk about an economic development matter.

Contact reporter Amanda Raymond at 704-797-4222.