Portland Announces Workshop for Façade Improvement Program

Portland, Maine - Grants offered to rehab storefronts located on Congress Street

What:   Later this month, Tuesday, September 18th, the City of Portland’s Economic Development Division will host a workshop for business and property owners interested in its Façade Improvement Program, which provides construction and architectural assistance for properties located on Congress Street between Washington Avenue and Weymouth Street (one block west of Deering Avenue) to restore or renovate commercial storefronts and replace deteriorated or poor quality commercial signs and awnings. Grants must be matched be an equal investment in private funds.

The Façade Improvement Program offers grants of up to $20,000 for individual storefronts and up to $2,000 for signs and awnings. Funded by HUD’s Community Development Block Grants, the program will cap out $90,000 and therefore, priority will be placed upon applications that will have the greatest impact on enhancing the streetscape. Grant applications are due by Friday, October 18, 2012 at 3:00 PM.

“The City is pleased to offer this grant program to assist business and property owners in the targeted area to improve their commercial properties and, at the same time, enhance Congress Street,” said City Manager Mark Rees.  “This recapitalized Façade Program is similar to an earlier round of the program which helped to renovate four storefronts, create two new signs and five new awnings.”

When:            Tuesday, September 18, 2012

                                5:30 PM              

                Where:                City Hall - Room 209