Facade Improvement Grant Program

The Facade Improvement Grant Program provides matching grants, up to $50,000, to small business owners and tenants to assist them in restoring or beautifying their facades or storefronts.

The Facade Improvement Grant Program was established to support and encourage small business to reinvest in the downtown and neighborhood business districts. Attractive building facades support and encourage local businesses. They can have a significant effect on the attractiveness and marketability of the surrounding area. To encourage business owners to reinvest in the downtown and smaller, neighborhood business areas, the City of Madison is offering grants to assist in the exterior renovations of these otherwise sound and vital properties.

The City of Madison has awarded 99 Facade Improvement Grants, totaling $1,285,200, plus $2,503,800 in private funds were invested in the improvement and beautification of Madison business districts.

Download Program Summary

You must be approved for the grant before you begin the work. Work that is in process or has been completed is not eligible for grant funds.

Applicant Eligibility

Must be located within the target area or emerging commercial node/activity area. If you are not in the eligible areas but think your project is part of a new or emerging commercial node, please reach out to the Facade Grant Team
Property owners of service or commercial/mixed-use structures
Building (business) tenants, with leases of more than one year in length
Governmental entities and public and quasi-public authorities are ineligible for funding

Eligible Areas

Contact Staff

Call or email City staff to discuss your project: totto@cityofmadison.com or 608-243-0178.
Apply
Fill out the application form. Your application must include a detailed description of the proposed improvements with estimates from vendors.
Application Form
- Email (preferred):
  Tom Otto
  Economic Development Specialist City of Madison
  totto@cityofmadison.com
- Drop off:
  ATTN: Tom Otto Economic Development Division Madison Municipal Building
  215 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Room 300
  Madison, WI 53703
- Mail:
  ATTN: Tom Otto City of Madison
  Economic Development
  P.O. Box 2983
  Madison, WI 53701-2983
If you are a tenant, you must include a copy of the lease and written approval from the owner.
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until the funds runs out.
Meeting with Staff Team

Staff Team meeting with Applicant to discuss project scope and eligibility and to provide input and guidance.
Approval

If UDC or LC approval is required, once that approval is obtained a Letter of Approval is sent to the owner/tenant.
Get Building Permits

Once building permits are issued, work on the project can begin.
During construction, grant recipient must display "Financing provided by the City of Madison Façade Grant Program" sign provided by the City on project site.

Eligible Costs

Grants may be used for comprehensively restoring or substantially beautifying an entire facade which leads to a substantially enhanced appearance.

Uncovering and restoring historical facades
Removing existing facade materials and replacing them with more appropriate and attractive designs and materials
New windows and doors, signage, tuck-pointing, painting, exterior lighting, shutters, gutters, awnings, and historical architectural elements
Design and permit fees associated with the construction

Grant Requirements

Owners and tenants must:

Start project within 30 days of approval and completed within 120 days. Extensions to the 120-day completion period may be granted for inclement weather, supply chain issues or the ordering of specialty building materials. The applicant must request an extension in writing. The City will notify the applicant in writing of its approval or denial.
Get building permits for all work as required.
Follow the Sign Ordinance (MGO 31). Maintain the exterior surfaces to prevent deterioration and to present an attractive appearance.
Follow the Equal Opportunity (MGO 39.03) and Affirmative Action (MGO 39.02) ordinances.
Help the City ensure that any contractors you work with also follow these ordinances.

We expect that all projects will:

Comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Use environmentally-friendly products and materials, including those that are energy star rated.