This Façade Improvement program by the Watertown Economic Development Commission’s (the “EDC”) strives to aid the Main Street areas of the Town of Watertown by encouraging economic growth that restores and maintains the historic attractiveness and significance of the downtown areas.
Donor Name: Town of Watertown
State: Connecticut
Town: Watertown
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/30/2023
Size of the Grant: $1,500
Grant Duration: 6 months
Details:
The program is conducted by the EDC and takes an organized approach to improving the design of the buildings in the Main Street districts in Watertown.
Purpose of the Program
The purpose of the façade improvement program is to provide an economic incentive to:
- Renovate building facades within the Main Street district of Watertown. Façade is defined as: the face of a building visible from Main Street. First priority will be given to the front of a building.
- Encourage good design projects that capitalize on the rehabilitation of existing properties paired with the introduction of compatible new design.
- Preserve unique historic character.
- Provide guidance, incentive and recommendations for tasteful façade renovation and replacement.
- While attempting to meet all the above-mentioned goals, it is also the duty of the EDC to ensure that projects funded by the program are carefully selected to achieve maximum effectiveness of the use of the funds.
Funding Information
- The EDC will match up to one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) spent by an applicant on a selected façade improvement project.
- Selected projects must be completed within six (6) months after the applicant has been notified of approval.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligibility is limited to any building owner or tenant of a structure located facing Main Street within the downtown business district, defined as from Route 6 and 63 in Watertown to the town line with Waterbury in Oakville.
- Owners or tenants may apply for the façade improvement program; however, any tenant must have the owner’s signature on the application.
Guidelines
- The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation will be used as guidelines in making improvements to the façade of any structure.
- Rehabilitation of structures in Watertown should be considered a contemporary solution, which respects the architectural integrity of the entire front, retaining those elements that enhance the building.
- All rehabilitation design proposals must meet all zoning, building and fire code requirements of the Town of Watertown.
- Any exterior renovation proposal – from an entire façade rehabilitation to maintenance items such as repainting or replacing building parts – is eligible for funding but top priority will be given to projects which will make a highly visible contribution to the revitalization district.
Examples include:
- Removing of false facades
- Cleaning of brick/stone fronts which include chemical stripping, water washor scraping. Sandblasting of a façade will NOT be approved.
- Repainting
- Repair/replacement of windows and doors
- Installation of canvas awnings
- Repainting of brick
- Structural repair
- Historical reconstructions and replacement of original architectural details
- Signs
For more information, visit Town of Watertown.
