View Facade Improvement Grant Projects!

What is the Facade Improvement Grant Program?
The objective of the Façade Improvement Grant Program is to remove blight by assisting businesses and commercial property owners with improving building appearance and by bringing signs, parking and landscaping into conformance with current codes. 

This is 1912 Commonwealth Avenue BEFORE participating in the Facade Improvement Grant program.

The program provides 50% reimbursement up to the maximum award amounts for eligible facade and/or site improvements as set forth below.

This is 1912 Commonwealth Avenue AFTER completing facade improvements and participating in the program!

Maximum Awards:  The maximum grant award for a site is determined by the building square footage as follows:

• Up to 3,000 sq/ft:............................................................$10,000
• 3,001 - 6,000 sq/ft:..........................................................$15,000
• Over 6,000 sq/ft:..............................................................$20,000
• Shopping Centers up to 30,000 sq/ft + 3 retail tenants:.......$45,000
• Shopping Centers > 30,000 sq/ft + 4 retail tenants:............$65,000
• Big Box demolition expense:............................... ............$45,000
  (must be at least 25,000 sq/ft and vacant at least 2-years)

Eligible Expenses:

View the Facade Improvement Guidelines

Eligible Businesses:

• Owners or tenants of buildings that are used by and for for-profit business.   Use of the building must conform to all current codes and ordinances; non-conforming uses of any kind are not allowed.  Prohibited businesses include national and regional chains, new construction projects, bars, nightclubs, tattoo parlors, body piercing shops, check cashing, adult businesses, non-profits, businesses operating from residential property, and any non-conforming uses.  Portions of buildings occupied by ineligible businesses of any kind, including non-profit entities, are ineligible for program funds.  
• Owners of vacant buildings shall be eligible if the owner's purpose is to rehabilitate the structure to attract eligible businesses.  Expenses will be reimbursed only after an eligible business occupies the space and opens to the public.
• Owners and tenants are eligible to re-apply until the maximum award is reached.  Participants in this program are not eligible for participation in the Infrastructure Grant program.
• All real property taxes must be paid in full.

Eligible Geography:

Business, office and industrial zoned properties located in the City's Business Services Program Geography are eligible.  Click here to find out if your property lies within the eligible geography or view the Business Corridor Revitalization Program Geography Map (246k/pdf).How the Program Works:

How the Program Works:

• An inter-departmental team of City staff reviews and approves proposals quarterly.  Staff bases eligibility decisions on the following criteria: 
  (1) improvement to the appearance of the site, building, and business district
  (2) creation of jobs
  (3) reduction of crime
  (4) leveraging of additional economic activities
  (5) provision of needed services and
  (6) geographic distribution of funds.
• Applicants must submit an application to the Economic Development Office.  City staff reviews applications quarterly.  Upon approval, the City enters into a grant contract with the applicant setting forth, among other things, the scope of work as approved by the review team.
• Applicants are responsible for obtaining all necessary governmental permits and authorizations, including building permits.
• Staff will be permitted to inspect the project to ensure conformance with the grant contract.
• The City does not reimburse for any work performed prior to application approval and contract signing.
• The City will authorize reimbursement payment after, among other things, completion of the project in accordance with the approved plan as set forth in the contract, together with occupancy of the building by eligible tenants. 
• The City will not contract to perform any of the work, but will reimburse the applicant for approved expenses.  Proof of payment is required for reimbursement.
• Approved projects should be completed within 90 days or funds may not be guaranteed.

Additional Information:
To apply for the program, download a Facade Improvement Grant Application (doc/135k) (pdf/48k), or contact  Gail Whitcomb with the Economic Development Office at 704-336-5849.