CITY AWARDS 2015 COMMERCIAL FAÇADE GRANTS – Message From The Mayor

I recently announced that eight local businesses are recipients of 2015 Commercial Façade Grants to improve their properties. This year’s awardees will receive approximately $218,000 in City funding and have pledged to contribute just over $685,000 in private investment to do everything from installing new windows to creating more attractive roof lines.

This program is good for local businesses and neighborhoods. It helps businesses improve their properties and attract customers, while at the same time strengthening commercial corridors in the heart of our community.

We introduced the Commercial Façade Grant program in 2008 as part of our ongoing commitment to help local businesses thrive and expand, particularly in the heart of the City. The program is designed to assist business owners in making improvements to the exterior of their commercial properties. Enhancements can include new siding, architectural features, signage, lighting, awnings, parking improvements, decorative fencing and more.

The City requires applicants to provide a dollar-for-dollar match in order to receive the grant. The program has been so successful that from 2009-2014, the City awarded $1.3 million in grant funding, which leveraged more than $3.8 million of private investment toward improvements. A total of 72 projects have been completed since the program was introduced.

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The program has helped property owners revitalize building exteriors on Wells Street, Main Street, Calhoun Street, Taylor Street, Broadway and other heavily traveled corridors throughout the heart of the City. In order to be eligible for a façade grant, a business must be located within one of the City’s Economic Development Target Areas, which are commercial corridors that are more challenging to redevelop because of the age of the buildings.

2015 façade grant recipients are:
Doolittle Electric, 2046 S. Lafayette St.
Belmont Beverage, 4308 S. Anthony Blvd.
Blue Jacket, 2826 S. Calhoun St.
Ingleman Parrish Orthodontics, SAG Properties, B’Exquisite Salon & Spa, 223 E. Tillman Rd.
New Image Printing, 3233 S. Lafayette St.
Sanco Industries, 1819 S. Calhoun St.
The Old East End Building, 1501 E. Berry St.
Trouble Brewing, 2725 Broadway