After an earlier effort drew no bids, the city announced this week that it has found a contractor to repair façades on 22 buildings left scarred by the removal of the Pike Plan canopies. Work is expected to begin next month and be completed by the end of October.

Forty-six buildings that formerly abutted the canopies were left with damage where the structures had been bolted on to their façades. Contractor Beam Construction then covered damaged “signboard” areas with black plastic sheeting to keep out water and ice. Pike Plan property owners were offered settlements of $1,000 per linear foot of frontage as compensation for the damage. In a separate offer, the city gave property owners the opportunity to have their façades fixed by a contractor chosen by the city through a competitive bidding process.

That plan hit a snag last month when the initial bidding period ended without any responses. The city rebid the project, and Gallo Construction was ultimately awarded the contract with a bid of $326,000.

In addition to the settlements and the façade repair project, the city gave out 13 Minor Exterior Improvement Grants to help former Pike Plan property owners install new awnings and signage. The city has also waived application fees until October and offered expedited review of façade restoration efforts. So far, 36 projects along Wall and North Front streets have been fast-tracked.

“We are pleased to make this award, after an unsuccessful round of bidding that delayed the signboard project getting started,” said Noble in a statement. “Now that we have a contractor in place, all involved will be moving quickly to get this work going. Though we are behind the original schedule, we are committed to getting this work done expeditiously. We know everyone is ready to see Uptown Kingston in all its glory, and we thank everyone for their patience.”