Façade Grant Program

View the finalists or download the application (pdf),  rules (pdf) and map (pdf) for the 2012 Façade Improvement Program.

The Façade Improvement Program provides financial assistance to private, non-profit and/or City or County groups for Downtown property improvements. There are several objectives for this incentive, which include but are not limited to:

• Stimulating the redevelopment of Downtown Tucson adding to both the employment base and activity level;

• Bringing about the recycling and environmental upgrading of presently vacant or under-utilized and buildings;

• Assisting in financing and financial packaging of public and private Downtown revitalization efforts;

• Assisting in the preservation or restoration of the historic visual character of older buildings in Downtown Tucson;

• Improving the appearance of Downtown streetscapes in anticipation of the arrival of the street car; and

• Encouraging the retention of existing or the recruitment of new commercial tenants in participating buildings.

The Façade Improvement Program is a matching grant fund. Property owners or tenants accepted into the program are required to match dollar for dollar (50%) of all funding received for façade improvements. The properties must be on, or eligible for, the National Register of Historic Places.

The Façade Program has 2 categories:

•  Major Renovation This category has a maximum loan/grant amount of $125,000 for corner sites and $90,000 for mid-block sites. The loans will be forgivable if the property owner/tenant remains in compliance with the terms of the program over the ten (10) year period. These are limited to historic buildings.
  

• Minor Upgrades This category allows for a maximum loan/grant amount of $5,000 for projects to paint their façade and install/replace awnings. The loans will be forgivable
  

  if the property owner/tenant remains in compliance with the terms of the program over the five (5) year period.

PROJECTS:

2008 Grant Awardees (Major):

64 Broadway – “The Scott”

Beowulf Alley Theatre

Rialto Block

The Screening Room

2011 Grant Awardees (minor):

Gibson Gym – The Drawing Studio

Reilly Building

Sears Building – Imago Dei Middle School