After last year's application was denied, the Charleston Urban Renewal Authority is reapplying for a grant from the West Virginia Division of Highways to fund design planning for a streetscape project on Virginia Street.
The board voted Wednesday to approve a 20 percent match for a grant application seeking $75,000 from the DOH.
The money would go toward the planning phase for a two-block stretch of Virginia Street East near the Elk River off the Interstate 64 exit.
The area would be enhanced to create a "gateway" for those driving into downtown Charleston through projects such as improved lighting, banners, road signs and wayfinding elements to direct drivers to parking and destinations, according to the Imagine Charleston Downtown Redevelopment Plan.
The plan identifies that stretch of Virginia Street to increase more walkability and better connect downtown attractions.
CURA is working with the Charleston Area Alliance to apply for the grant.
Last year, those groups submitted an application seeking $600,000 in funds, with a $120,000 local match. That request was denied.
It's still unclear what it might cost to complete the project, said CURA Executive Director Ron Butlin.
Also on Wednesday, local property owner Philip Chin approached the board with a proposal to acquire and renovate a few East End properties that CURA owns.
Those include 1212 Quarrier St., the Chamberlain Court rowhouses off Lewis Street, behind the Roosevelt Neighborhood Center and another house on Lewis Street next to Chamberlain Court.
Because Chin's proposal wasn't on the agenda, the board asked him to return in January to give a presentation before they consider his request.
Chin is the owner of the New China building on Washington Street East near Bluegrass Kitchen, which has sat vacant for several years. CURA tried unsuccessfully to buy that building from Chin in 2010.
Butlin also advised CURA of plans to temporarily board up the recessed covered entrance at 170 Summers St. along Brawley Walkway due to complaints about people loitering there. CURA owns the building, which is the former home of B&B Loans.
"We're getting people sort of hanging out in that alcove in the front corner, so I think it makes sense to temporarily board it up and paint it," Butlin said. "As soon as you have something happen with the building, we'll get rid of it."
Also in attendance was Mayor Danny Jones, who suggested the board also board up the entrance of the former Fife Street Shoe Shop, which is part of the same building.
"People are sleeping there too, we're getting complaints about them," Jones said. "I hate to board it up too. It would be nice if you could make it attractive, but I don't know how you'd do that."
Also on Wednesday, the board approved a request by local developer Tighe Bullock, of Crawford Holdings, to take a second lien position on a piece of property Bullock owns on the city's West Side.
Bullock, who has undertaken projects in Charleston's Elk City District such as the former Staats Hospital building and Bully Trap Barbershop, is planning to renovate apartments above Kin Ship Goods, at 613 Tennessee Ave.
The lender for Crawford Holdings, First Bank of Charleston, is required to hold the first lien position on that property.
CURA voted to take a subordinate lien position on Wednesday, not to exceed $150,000.
Reach Elaina Sauber at elaina.sauber@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-3051 or follow @ElainaSauber on Twitter.