Label
Facade Improvement Grant Program
Department of Economic Development
Sandy Spang (Ext. 1641) / Brandon Sehlhorst (x1692)
Revised
Title
Authorizing the Mayor and Department of Economic Development to implement a Facade Improvement Grant ("FIG") Program; authorizing the Mayor to enter into program grant agreements; authorizing, subject to annual appropriations, expenditures from the General Fund for the FIG Program; and declaring and emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
The Vibrancy Initiative was established to enhance the City's vitality by supporting revitalization efforts that will create jobs, reduce blight, and preserve and improve structures throughout the City. The Vibrancy Initiative is a comprehensive approach to revitalization that addresses building exteriors through the Facade Improvement Grant ("FIG"), and vacant first floor commercial interiors through the White Box Grant.
The FIG program is designed to assist property owners with transforming the facade of commercial, industrial, and mixed-use buildings. The program provides a matching grant of up to $40,000 as reimbursement for eligible expenses associated with a comprehensive facade improvement. Building owners are required to provide a 50% match and must either occupy the space as a business owner or actively market the space for lease.
This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of funds, subject to annual appropriations, from the General Fund for the FIG program, to be administered by the Department of Economic Development. For fiscal year 2023, an amount of $320,000 was included in the approved operating budget for this program.
Summary
NOW, THEREFORE, Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That the Mayor and Department of Economic Development are authorized to implement a Facade Improvement Grant program.
SECTION 2. That the Mayor is authorized to award Fa?ade Improvement Grants and enter into any necessary agreements subjec...
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