Under a federal program, the firm will help the town of Crestline draft design guidelines for the upgrade of buildings in its downtown area. The program provides matching funds for improvements that follow the guidelines.

Funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the program will encourage the elimination of blight in the Downtown area and the addition of character to new and existing buildings. A parallel grant is aimed at funding an economic development study to assist business owners and the city in improving business success.

Community residents will participate in the development of the guidelines in a series of workshops with the architects. The county administering the project is being spearheaded by county Supervisor Jon Mikels. Completion for the guidelines portion of the project is expected in February.