The Facade Improvement Program's goal is to remove blight and improve the appearance of Charlotte's distressed urban business districts.
While aesthetic judgments are difficult and subjective, some measure of control is necessary to ensure that public funds are well used and meet the needs and aesthetic tastes of the community. A team of professional City staff will be assembled to review and approve projects for funding. they will be guided by their professional judgments and the following principles:
Architectural Renovations:
Building Renovations: Buildings should fit in their environment. This program is available to businesses in historic, industrial and strip shopping areas. These environments are different and the requirements for funding may vary for projects in different areas.
Window and Glazing: Visual access into retail stores is important. Storefronts should not be boarded up, nor should window space be reduced. Retail frontages should be a minimum of 50% glazed. Mirrored or heavily tinted glass is discouraged. If windows are the only expense being requested, it will only be eligible if there is an increase in window size.
New Materials: Materials used for renovation should match or be compatible with the original materials and design. Imitations of materials (especially for historic buildings are discouraged. All damaged or decaying storefronts, display windows, entrances, signs, etc. should be either repaired or replaced.
Brick and Stone: Brick and stone exteriors may not be sandblasted due to their porous textures. Masonry surfaces should be tuck pointed with mortar compatible with the color, texture and form of the original mortar. Pressure washing must be done in conjunction with other renovation items to be determined eligible.
Accessibility: Renovated facades should be accessible to the handicapped. renovations or additions that bring a building's facade and/or entrance into conformance with ADA standards (e.g., ramps, doorway dimensions) are eligible expenses.
Awnings: The addition of awnings is an eligible expense. Those proposed to be installed above public right-of-ways must receive encroachment agreements from the Department of Transportation. Awnings shall not have rounded ends at their horizontal terminations. Painting will only be eligible when triggered by the renovation.
Signage:
Expenses relating to the removal of non-conforming grandfathered signs and subsequent construction of new signage conforming to the ordinance are eligible.
Parking Lots and Landscaping:
Only parking lots visible from the public right-of-way are eligible. Only expenses relating to bringing a grandfathered parking lot into conformance with current parking and landscaping codes are eligible.
Landscaping will only take place during the planting season (November - March).
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