A Great opportunity to upgrade your storefront!
There is very exciting news for the Hawthorne Business Community! The Hawthorne Neighborhood Council (HNC), and the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP), and CPED are collaborating to offer a Façade Improvement Matching Grants Program. The façade matching grants can be used for a wide variety of exterior improvements.
The HNC has contracted the WBC (West Broadway Coalition) to administer matching grants to Hawthorne business and property owners who wish to improve their facades.
The WBC will work with you to in the following manner to insure easy access to matching grant funds:
- Provide Information About the Program and How to Access Grant Funds
- Meet with You One on One to Assist with the Application Process and Design Ideas
- Assist You in Finding Resources to Provide the Necessary Match
- Receive and Process Your Application
- Disburse Grant Funds Once All Requirements Have Been Met
Grant funds are being made available now and are being offered on a first come first served basis.
Area of Eligibility: to qualify for consideration, an applicant must be a commercial building owner or business owner in a commercial building whose building or business is in the Hawthorne neighborhood.
The funds must be used for exterior capital improvements that enhance the appearance of the community and add to the safety and vitality of the area, eligible improvements include the following:
- Expansion or replacement of windows that face the street
- Replacement of front doors or there locks
- Update windows and doors, along with more secure locks
- Exterior Lighting
- Design changes that encourage “eyes on the street”
- Front façade improvements
- Replacement or rehab of signage and awnings
- Landscaping and site improvements that enhance the safety of the property
Financing will be awarded subject to approval and funding availability. Applicants are being requested to apply for a matching grant of up to $15,000 or 50% of the total project cost, whichever is lower. Owners of multiple properties can apply for more than one matching grant, but not more than one matching grant per property.
Benefits:
- Watch your business thrive, as you attract more customers
- Stabilize your property values
- Protect your investments by contributing to a strong commercial district
- Increase the overall safety, stability and vitality of North Minneapolis
For More Information please contact:
West Broadway Coalition 612-353-5178 or
Other Program Requirements and Details:
City of Minneapolis recognizes that healthy neighborhood business districts play an important role in the vitality of Minneapolis and understands there are many challenges that neighborhood businesses can face. The Purpose of the Hawthorne Business Façade Improvement program is to assist commercial building owners and tenants in the Hawthorne Neighborhood in obtaining funds to revitalize the exterior of their commercial buildings. The Program is sponsored by the Hawthorne neighborhood NRP and its neighborhood representative the Hawthorne Neighborhood Council (“HNC”). The Program Administrator is the West Broadway Coalition (WBC). One component of the Hawthorne Business Façade Improvement program is matching grants, designed to help create healthy neighborhood commercial areas by providing incentives to improve the appearance of building façades and stimulate private investment.
Matching Grant Amount
Applicants may apply for a matching grant of up to $15,000 or 50% of the total project cost, whichever is lower. All grants are subject to and dependent upon the availability of funds. Owners of multiple properties can apply for more than one matching grant, but not more than one matching grant per property.
Private Match
The Grantee must match grants at least dollar for dollar from non-NRP funding sources. The match may come from the applicant’s cash, a bank loan, or non-NRP funding sources. Applicants are encouraged to use other available financing sources including the “Two Percent” Loan Program of the City of Minneapolis through its Department of Community and Economic Development (CPED) for larger projects. Program administrative staff will help facilitate the use of other financing programs. The Program Administrator (WBC) may require that matching funds be placed in escrow with a title company before facade improvement work begins.
Note: The Program Administrator (WBC), in consultation with the City and HNC, reserves the right to limit the amount of grants at any time based on the availability of funds.
Eligibility
All building owners and business owners (with property owner’s approval) located within the business district in a commercial building whose building or business is in the Hawthorne neighborhood. The boundaries’ of the Hawthorne neighborhood are Lowry Avenue to the North, West Broadway to the South, Emerson Avenue to the West and Mississippi River to the East.
Applicants may apply for matching grants up to $15,000 or 50% of the total project cost, whichever is lower. All grant amounts are subject to and dependent upon the availability of funds. Owners of multiple properties can apply for more than one matching grant, but not more than one matching grant per program. The business districts listed below have façade improvement matching grant programs.
Eligible Use of Funds
See the Great Streets Façade Design Guide for specific façade improvements that are encouraged or discouraged. Discouraged activities are not eligible for matching grants.
Eligible Activities are as follows:
- Exterior painting, re-siding, or professional cleaning
- Restoration of exterior finishes and materials
- Masonry repairs and tuck pointing
- Removal of architecturally inappropriate or incompatible exterior finishes and materials
- Restoration of architectural details or removal of materials that cover architectural details
- Repair or replacement of windows and doors (if replacement, windows and doors must be architecturally appropriate)
- Window and cornice flashing and repair
- Canopy or awning installation or repair
- Murals
- Installation or repair of exterior signage
- Removal of barriers to access the building from outside for people with disabilities
- Exterior lighting
- Contracted labor related to any of the above improvements
- More than one improvement project, keeping in mind the maximum grant amount per business or storefront
- Wall, window, and hanging signs advertising the business name and identity
The City of Minneapolis requires permits for many of the eligible activities listed here. It is vital that business and building owners work with City Zoning staff on designs and obtain all necessary permits before beginning work.
Ineligible Use of Funds
The following activities are not eligible for matching grants:
- Improvements in progress or completed prior to preliminary approval
- Routine maintenance that is not part of an eligible façade improvement project
- Billboards
- Roofing
- Mechanicals and HVAC systems
- Interior work
- New construction
- Monument, pylon, temporary, or roof signs
- Interior window displays
- Security systems (including metal roll down gates and window bars)
- Trash and mechanical enclosures
- Fencing
- Landscaping
- Parking areas
- Bike parking
