The owner of The Lincoln Inn at Faranda's in downtown DeKalb is asking the city for $25,000 to help cover a sweeping approximately $375,000 roof and solar panel overhaul at the restaurant's Grove Street building. Bill McMahon applied for the funding through the city's Architectural Improvement Program on Aug. 20, and the DeKalb City Council is set to vote on the request Monday at 6 p.m. at the DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St.
McMahon's plan includes solar panels across the building's entire roof, contingent on the grant being approved, along with sloped roof upgrades costing $49,000, gutter replacement at $7,820, flat roofing work priced at $53,025, and a $40,000 rooftop HVAC system replacement, according to Shaw Local. The solar installation alone is expected to cost about $182,135, and McMahon has contracted with Theisen Roofing and Joiner's HVAC, both based in Cortland, along with Rockford-based Iconic Energy to carry out the various phases of work. In a written statement, McMahon said, “The Lincoln Inn has proudly served the DeKalb community as a local downtown anchor for decades.”
If approved, the city's $25,000 contribution would cover only a fraction of the total project cost, the outlet's report notes. The Architectural Improvement Program is funded through property tax revenue collected via the downtown Tax Increment Financing district, and it exists to help business owners improve or rehabilitate their commercial spaces.
How DeKalb's Grant Program Actually Works
The city's program normally caps matching assistance at $25,000 per qualifying property, though the City Council may consider higher matching participation for historically significant properties or projects exceeding $50,000, according to the City of DeKalb. Major capital projects can be reimbursed at 50%, minor improvements at 25%, and deferred maintenance work at just 10%, depending on how a project is classified.
The city's Architectural Improvement Program supports downtown building improvements. Back in January 2024, the council awarded the same $25,000 amount to DeKalb Fresh Market, as reported by Shaw Local.
A Restaurant That Moved to Survive the Pandemic
The Lincoln Inn is located at Faranda's Banquet Center, 302 Grove St. McMahon bought the 302 Grove St. building in 2013.
The article also discusses state support and energy-efficiency efforts in connection with the restaurant, without providing further details.
Stacking State and Federal Solar Incentives
Beyond the city's grant, the article also discusses other potential funding mechanisms for commercial solar projects like McMahon's, without detailing them. Small-business solar projects in Commonwealth Edison's northern Illinois service territory are also mentioned, without a specific rebate or eligibility rule.
On the federal side, commercial solar property owners in 2026 can still claim an Investment Tax Credit starting at 30% of total project costs, per the Illinois Power Agency. That incentive, layered atop the city's potential $25,000 contribution, could meaningfully reshape the economics of McMahon's roughly $182,000 solar installation.
DeKalb's council is expected to weigh McMahon's request alongside its established pattern of supporting downtown building upgrades through the Architectural Improvement Program. Whether the vote Monday adds The Lincoln Inn to that list of recipients will depend on how council members assess the scope of a project that spans roofing, HVAC, and renewable energy all under one roof.
