Façade Improvement Program

Funder: Downtown Visions (Main Street Wilmington Program), managed by WDBID Management Company

Geographic Scope: Downtown Wilmington Business Improvement District (BID)

Program Background:
A 2009 block-by-block inventory showed that 78% of buildings in the Downtown Wilmington BID would benefit from improved façade treatments. Since 2010, the Main Street Wilmington Program has completed 84 building projects and awarded approximately $800,000 in grants toward restoration of downtown buildings. For every $1 invested in façade improvements, research shows $18 resulted in increased downtown business activity (National Trust for Historic Preservation, 2012).

Focus Areas:

• Façade restoration and improvement
• Removal of exterior roll-down security gates
• Installation of new interior security gates or shatter-proof glass
• New business signs or awnings
• Exterior lighting improvements
• Building repainting and complete façade restoration
• Interior fit-out funding (permanently affixed items)

Accomplishments to Date:

• Removal of 29 exterior roll-down security gates
• Installation of 62 new business signs or awnings
• Exterior lighting improvements in dark blocks (including Grand Opera House lighting)
• Complete restoration of 64 building façades
• Resulted in several new business openings and improved revenues for 51 existing businesses

Eligibility:

• Commercial or retail building owners within Downtown Wilmington BID
• Properties along Market Street, 9th Street corridor, and connecting side streets
• All grants awarded are for physical improvements only (no soft costs)

What They Don't Fund:

• Soft costs (non-physical improvements)

Funding Structure:

• Façade Improvement Grants: Up to $10,000 on a matching basis
• Security Gate Removal: Up to $10,000 reimbursement for removal of external security gate and installation of new interior security gate or shatter-proof glass (offered at 100% funding)
• Interior Fit-Out Grants: Up to $10,000 reimbursement for permanently affixed items; up to $2,500 for awnings or signage reimbursement

Additional Notes:

• Downtown Visions staff oversee projects from beginning to end
• Project management performed internally with direct vendor contracting to reduce costs
• Multiple building projects yield substantial savings and increased productivity

Contact:

• Program Director: Lani Schweiger
• Email: lschweiger@downtownvisions.org
• Phone: (302) 425-4200
• Organization: Downtown Visions (Main Street Wilmington Program)

Application Process

Specific application procedures and requirements are not detailed on the website. Interested property owners should contact the Main Street Wilmington Program Director directly for information on how to apply.

Contact Information

• Program Director: Lani Schweiger
• Email: lschweiger@downtownvisions.org
• Phone: (302) 425-4200