New London — The city plans to distribute nearly $500,000 to downtown property owners as it rolls out a new round of federal emergency coronavirus pandemic funds.

This phase of funding is aimed at boosting infrastructure improvement efforts of the owners of 11 downtown buildings. The grants range from the $20,000 requested by the Washington Street Coffee House, 13 Washington St., for vent replacement to the $75,000 toward proposed facade and interior work at Harris Place, 165 State St.

In total, the city’s Office of Development and Planning has recommended $488,500 in grants for proposed work that falls into three categories: beautification, storefront activation and historical preservation.

The City Council will vote on each of the proposed grant awards at its meeting on Monday. ODP Director Felix Reyes said this first phase of funding boosts ongoing or planned projects. Each of the owners provided the city with details of the projects as part of its grant application to the city.

Four of the projects involve roof repairs or replacement projects: Hot Rod Cafe at 114 Bank St., Thames River Greenery at 68 State St., an empty former restaurant space at 312 Bank St. and the Public Library of New London at 55 Huntington St. Each of the applicants would receive $50,000.

Roof problems are a common theme downtown and have an impact on a building owner’s ability to maintain a tenant, Reyes said. “When you see a business leave because the landlord can’t maintain a dry building, it’s frustrating,” he said.

At a minimum, Reyes said an applicant to the grant program pays for 25% of the project, and often more. Terms and conditions of the grants are tailored toward each individual project. The city is holding a small retainer to ensure the projects are completed.

Other projects that have requested funding include: Noble Restaurant at 74 Bank St. for interior renovations; the future Blue Duck Restaurant at 52 Bank St. for interior renovations; $50,000 toward a historical renovation at 223 State St.; and $28,500 for exterior building repairs at Hygienic Art at 79-83 Bank St. Hygienic also has requested $15,000 for Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility.

“The buildings are part of the infrastructure of downtown and without these buildings there are no businesses,” Reyes said.

The rehabilitation and construction projects are subject to federal prevailing wages and must adhere to the city’s procurement ordinances, according to a memo from the city’s accounting purchasing agent, Joshua Montague.

The City Council has to date approved half of the $26.2 million in funds flowing to the city from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The council will vote on uses for the second half of funds later this year.

If the latest grant requests are approved, the ODP will have $661,500 left of its initial $1.15 million allocation to be used to invest in historical structures and small businesses. An upcoming second phase of grant funding will focus on existing businesses, Reyes said.

Overall, the city’s ARPA money is being distributed into five categories: disproportionately impacted communities, negative economic impacts, infrastructure, public health and administration.

One of the more recent approvals was $72,500 to the Hispanic Alliance of Southeastern Connecticut. The group is collaborating with Public Art for Racial Justice Education to design a series of events that will focus on education, economic development and youth development in New London’s Hispanic community.

Last month the city signed a $108,729 contract with the New London Community Meal Center to allow for expansion of meal service and implementation of a food equity initiative. The council approved a contract with The Immigration Advocacy & Support Center to expand COVID-19-related casework for the Haitian-Creole community and connect immigrants with services.

One of the larger chunks of money, more than $2 million, is being spent on the Birth to Age 8 Community Resource Center at B.P. Learned, a joint venture between the city and school district.

g.smith@theday.com