Program Objective

General Criteria

1. The Program is intended to assist property owners or tenants with improvements or restorations of the esthetics and architectural appearance of a complete building façade. The Program is not intended for repairs or maintenance activities.
2. The Program is intended to assist projects that promote retail activities, create an attractive environment, encourage neighborhood character and architectural design, use quality materials, and incorporate good design concepts. Projects meeting these objectives are eligible for a grant for up to one half the cost of facade improvements (see General Criteria #5).
3. The Program is intended to assist small private businesses. Property owners of service or commercial/mixed-use structures and building tenants, with leases of more than one year in length, are eligible for funding. Governmental entities and public and quasi-public authorities are ineligible for funding.
4. The funds may be used to restore the historical appearance of a building or to rehabilitate, enhance, or beautify the structure. Eligible items include uncovering and restoring historical façades, removing existing façade materials and replacing them with more appropriate and attractive designs and materials, and other detailing which leads to a substantially enhanced appearance.
   
   Although not eligible for funding on their own, the following may be funded as part of a more comprehensive façade improvement: windows, doors, exterior cleaning, tuckpointing, painting, exterior lighting, shutters, gutters, awnings, and historical architectural elements. The Program will only fund projects that significantly improve the visual appearance of the whole façade of the property from the street. Design and permit fees associated with the construction are also eligible projects costs.
5. Grants will be provided in an amount up to 50% of the total project cost, to a maximum of $10,000 per street facing façade. Maximum amounts would range from $10,000 for a single street facing façade, $20,000 for a building with two facades, and $25,000 for "flatiron" buildings. The owner/tenant must use private, non-City, funds to match the City's grant.
6. Review of a specific application will be completed by a staff team consisting of the Manager of the Office of Economic Revitalization, the Housing Rehabilitation Specialist, the Planner III, Historic Preservation; the Office of Business Resources Manager, and the Principal Planner, or designee. The Director of the Department of Planning and Community and Economic Development is an alternate for any absent member.
7. Properties located in the target areas are eligible.