Press release
The City of Athens announces an extension for the application deadline for the 2018 Downtown Façade Improvement Program. The deadline has been extended from March 1st to Friday, March 16.
The program is grant-based and available to property owners who own buildings located in the Downtown Façade Improvement Program Downtown Area, which includes the nine blocks of downtown, Athens Alley and a few other areas adjacent to the square.
The program provides 80:20 grants (80% contributed by the City of Athens, 20% by the property owner) with a grant maximum of $12,500 per façade and $25,000 per project. Funding for the program is made available exclusively from the City’s Hotel Occupancy Taxes. After the success of the first year, City Council approved a $10,000 increase in funds for the second year of the program. For the Fiscal Year 2018 Downtown Façade Improvement Program, $60,000 is allocated for qualifying applications. The Downtown Façade Improvement Program includes reimbursement for expenses associated with “reconstruction, rehabilitation and preservation of the façade, façade cleaning, professional and consultant fees, tuck pointing, painting, renovation or replacement of exterior lighting, and awnings or other similar improvements.” Grant calculation will be made based upon a building’s specifications (e.g., one-story or two-story) and the amount of linear feet per façade.
Applications and information packets regarding the program are available online at www.athenstx.gov or can be picked up at City Hall, located at 508 East Tyler St. The application submission deadline is March 16.
For questions regarding the Downtown Façade Improvement Program, please contact City Hall at 903-675-5131 or e-mail [email protected].