Façade Improvement Grant

Program Overview
The Façade Improvement Grant Program encourages investment in downtown by helping property and business owners improve exterior facades of commercial buildings. Since 2010, the grant has:

• Assisted 83 businesses
• Distributed more than $1 million in grants
• Generated more than $3.5 million invested into downtown

The program aims to bring exterior facades in line with Urban Village Design guidelines.

Award Amount

• Main grant: Up to 50% of improvement costs, not to exceed $12,000
• Design assistance: Up to $1,500 additional for hiring a licensed design professional/architect (matching funds not required)
• Maximum total per project: $13,500
• Funds distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis

Geographic Scope

• Properties within the Downtown Rochester Special Services District (SSD)

Eligibility

• Any property or business owner whose property lies within the special service district (Downtown Rochester)
• Ineligible: Buildings constructed within the last three years

Eligible Uses

• Design and construction of improvements to building exterior facades
• Professional design services (architecture/licensed design professionals)
• Work aligning with Urban Village Design guidelines

What's NOT Covered

• Signage-only projects (with exception of architectural signage deemed as long-term improvement)
• Projects not aligned with Urban Village Design guidelines

Design Assistance

• Additional $1,500 funding available to procure licensed design professional/architect
• For RDA Design Review process
• Matching funds not required from applicant
• Highly recommended: Include professional rendering from licensed design firm with application
• Outside of $12,000 maximum

Contact Information

• Email: sfagan@downtownrochestermn.com
• Phone: 507-216-9882
• Address: 311 Broadway Ave South, Suite A2, Rochester, MN 55904

Additional Resources

• Urban Village Design Guidelines (available)
• Sample application (available)
• Before and after project photos (available)
• Design Assistance Overview and Application

How to Apply

1. Download Application Materials
   • Façade Improvement Grant Application form
   • Facade Improvement Grant Overview and Application guide
   • Urban Village Design Guidelines
2. Prepare Application Materials
   • Property/building information
   • Scope of work and project details
   • Budget and cost estimates
   • Project rendering or design drawings (highly recommended from licensed design firm)
   • Before photos of current facade
   • Documentation of how project aligns with Urban Village Design guidelines
3. Submit Application
   • Submit completed application (submission method: contact RDA)
4. RDA Design Review Committee
   • Committee reviews application
   • Evaluates alignment with Urban Village Design guidelines
   • Considers signage based on long-term property improvements
5. Reimbursement Process
   • Grant funds provided as reimbursement (not upfront)
   • Submit documentation upon project completion
   • Complete project and document with after photos

Required Documentation

• Project scope and description
• Cost estimates/quotes for improvements
• Design renderings or drawings
• Before photos
• Evidence of alignment with Urban Village Design guidelines
• For design assistance: quotes from licensed design professionals

Timeline

• Rolling applications (first-come, first-serve)
• No stated deadline
• Process timeline not specified