Downtown Berkley Facade & Parking Lot enhancement grant Program Overview
Program Objectives
The Berkley Downtown Development Authority’s (DDA) goal is to improve the quality of life for its citizens and business owners by fostering attractive, economically viable commercial districts along 12 Mile Road and Coolidge Highway. In order to reach this goal, the Berkley DDA has established a Façade & Parking Lot Enhancement Grant Program.
Program Administration
The program is overseen by the Berkley DDA’s Design Committee. As part of this program, the DDA can offer design assistance and financial support to commercial property owners and business owners within the DDA District seeking to renovate or restore the exterior of their buildings and/or enhance a surface parking lot.
How the program works
Grant funding will be allocated in the form of a 50/50 matching grant. For example, if an applicant is painting his/her building and it costs $1,500.00 the amount of assistance made would be a maximum of $750.00. If, for instance, more significant improvements were made to the tune of $20,000.00, the maximum grant assistance would be up to $5,000.00.
APPLICANTS ARE NOT GUARANTEED THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT. Funding will be based on how the project measures up to the Grant Criteria (page 2) as well as on the fund’s current balance.
Facade Grant dollars will be distributed through a tiered system based on the improvements made:
Up to $1,000 for signage and other basic cosmetic updates
Up to $2,500 for paint, signage, awnings, and lighting
Up to $5,000 for paint, signage, awnings, lighting, glazing, historic building renovations/restoration, and other significant building enhancements.
Parking Lot Enhancement Grants will be distributed as a 50/50 match up to $5,000 for:
Landscaping that buffers and beautifies the surface parking lot from the street or sidewalk
Artwork or greenery that camouflages chainlink fencing
Restoration of a surface lot to an activated space such as outdoor dining area, play area, or sitting area
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis for the 2020/21 calendar year or until the funds are used up.
A Grant application must come to the Berkley DDA BEFORE it is approved by the City of Berkley, the City of Berkley Downtown Design Review Board, or the City of Berkley Planning Commission AND before any work has begun. All improvements must comply with standards set forth in the Downtown Design Guidelines and all applicable Building and Property Maintenance Codes.
Funding for façade and parking lot enhancement projects will be paid through a reimbursement process. Only after the applicant has paid for the work to be done will the applicant be reimbursed for the granted dollar amount. How much each applicant gets will be determined by how many grant applications are received and how the project is scored.
Eligibility Criteria
All improvements must comply with standards set forth in the DDA's Downtown Design Guidelines, and all applicable Building and Property Maintenance Codes.
Find out if you are eligible to apply
This program is for properties located in the DDA District. See map below.
Applicants for participation in the program can be property owners or tenants with a minimum of two years remaining on their lease, or have an option to renew their lease with written permission from property owner (include letter with application). NOTE: taxes for the property must be up to date including personal property taxes if applicable.
