The 2023-2024 Downtown Improvement Grant (DIG) seeks to encourage building owners and tenants to invest in properties located within the MainStreet Cleveland footprint, by financially assisting with building needs that serve an appropriate public purpose and benefit.
Donor Name: City of Cleveland
State: Tennessee
City: Cleveland
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/01/2024
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The City of Cleveland has been awarded $300,000 from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) for improving building facades, courtyard improvements, and streetscaping.
The intention of providing funds to subgrantees is to stimulate building improvements while being mindful of the historical significance and uniqueness of this district to increase commerce. Priority projects listed in the scope of the grant are: replacing deteriorated awnings; re-opening bricked-up windows; replacing doors; improving entryways, including side and rear business entrances; improving storefront facades; improving courtyards used for commerce; and repainting previously painted facades.
Funding Information
The scope of the grant allows for $200,000 to be used towards reimbursing district property owners for certain exterior rehabilitation, restoration, or improvement projects. The remaining grant funds will be invested in streetscape improvements within the MainStreet District.
Eligibility Criteria
- To qualify for the DIG, the building must be located within the MainStreet Cleveland footprint. The applicant must either be the building (property) owner or tenant; however, if the applicant is the tenant, the property owner must provide written permission for any improvements.
- Exterior building improvements may consist of the following: replacing deteriorated awnings; improving business entryways, including side and rear business entrances; improving storefront facades; improving courtyards used for commerce; cleaning and/or painting of wood surfaces; removal of “modernization” efforts and/or inappropriate non-historic alterations and additions; restoration of original/historical windows, doors, and trim whenever possible, including re-opening bricked-up windows; exterior lighting; and repainting previously painted facades.
- Examples of activities that would be considered ineligible include: landscaping; parking lots; interior renovations; temporary, portable or non-permanent improvements; new building construction; property acquisition; refinancing of existing debt; payment of delinquent taxes; and improvements in progress or completed prior to grant approval.
For more information, visit City of Cleveland.
