PRESS RELEASE

August 1, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Amanda Gehrke, Management Analyst

(510) 747-6896

Façade Grant Program Re-opened for Local Businesses

The City of Alameda has re-opened a popular economic development program to help local business and property owners spruce up their storefronts and improve the appearance of the City’s retail districts. Under the Façade Grant Program, business and property owners may be eligible for 50/50 matching grants for exterior painting, new awnings and signs, and other façade improvements. Past grantees include Phnom Penh House, Neptune’s, China House, and the historic Alameda Theatre, among others.

Changes to this year’s program include:

·         Increased grant amounts:

o   up to $5,000 for signs and awnings

o   up to $10,000 for paint or neon, historic and marquee signs

o   up to $15,000 for architectural improvements

·         Quarterly application deadlines, to provide clarity and set expectations for the approval process

·         A new signage promotion: starting in January, all signs will be eligible for 80/20 reimbursement (instead of 50/50)

To be eligible for a façade grant, the commercial property must be located in one of the following areas: 

·         Webster Street Business District

·         Downtown Alameda Business District

·         Historic Stations (Grand, Mastick, Bay, South High St., Chestnut, Morton, Versailles, Willow, Fifth Street, Caroline, High Street North or Stanton)

·         Retail buildings near gateways into Alameda

For more information, please visit http://alamedaca.gov/business/facade-grant-program or contact Amanda Gehrke, Management Analyst, at (510) 747-6896.

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