Two more downtown Albert Lea buildings may soon be seeing some exterior renovations.

On Tuesday, the Albert Lea Heritage Preservation Commission recommended approval of grant applications for funding from the city’s Broadway Ridge Renewal Grant Fund.

The fund provides a 50/50 match of up to $50,000 for approved downtown building projects — primarily for facades.

The applications recommended were from the Goldman, Sturtz & Halverson Law Firm, 137 N. Broadway Ave., and Youth for Christ’s The Rock, 116 W. Clark St.

The applications will go before the Albert Lea City Council for final approval.

Community Development Director Bob Graham said the law firm is eligible for up to $25,000 in matching funds based on the size of its facade, and The Rock is eligible for $50,000.

Proposals for both buildings include replacing the front lower portion of the facades with storefronts to match historical renderings and replacing the upper floor windows on the front of the buildings, Graham said.

Cost estimates for the renovations at the law firm are about $52,000 and at least $90,000 for The Rock, said 2nd Ward Councilor Larry Baker. The projects will likely be completed in the spring.

The applications are the second and third to be received for the Broadway Ridge Renewal Grant Fund, which was changed from a loan fund into a grant fund in February.

Officials hope the fund will jump-start renovations and revitalization in the downtown.

“Hopefully it’s going to begin to change the appearance of the downtown and provide for longevity in the buildings,” Graham said.

The City Council approved its first $50,000 matching grant from the fund in August to AZ-1 Inc., which is working to transform the building known as the Community Cornerstone, at the northwest corner of Broadway Avenue and Main Street.

Ultimately, this building will be a place for men who have just completed long-term treatment. It will also provide transitional housing where the men can build relationships and learn additional skills.

Baker, who is an ex-officio member of the Heritage Preservation Commission, said he is excited to see the interest in the program.

“It’s just really nice to see that since we’ve changed it to a matching grant fund that there’s a lot of interest in it,” he said.

About $193,000 is in the fund.