The City of San Antonio Façade Improvement Grant Program offers grants to support aesthetic and functional upgrades for active small business spaces and associated building exteriors visible from the public right-of-way.
Donor Name: City of San Antonio
City: San Antonio
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/31/2023
Size of the Grant: $5,000 to $50,000
Details:
Eligible projects may receive grants from $5,000 to $50,000 for approved, eligible project costs. Applicants must meet the full list of eligibility criteria, including geographic priority area requirements for proposed projects.
Façade Improvement Grant Program may include:
- Grants for project costs will be available from $5,000 to a maximum of $50,000, with project cost matches based on project location’s Combined Equity Score.
- Eligible costs include proposed work associated with making façade, landscape, and signage improvements at property.
- Assistance navigating additional City programs and resources, including City Fee Waivers, the City’s Tree Fund, and single point-of-contact assistance with City of San Antonio Development Services Dept. and Office of Historic Preservation.
Funding Information
- Minimum grant amount = $5,000
- Maximum grant amount = $50,000
- Program will provide 75% of total, approved project costs up to a maximum of $50,000 for projects located in a Geography I location (Census Tract with a Combined Equity Score of 2 – 6); and
- Program will provide 90% of total, approved project costs up to a maximum of $50,000 for projects located in a Geography II location (Census Tract with a Combined Equity Score of 7 – 10).
Eligible Expenses
- Costs associated with making façade, landscape, and signage improvements.
- Façade Renovations (including, but not limited to):
- Installation of stucco, stone, or masonry elements on façade;
- Replacement of exterior elements such as doors, windows, and awnings;
- Façade painting;
- Removal of security / “burglar” bars;
- Installation of security window film; and
- Replacement of degraded exterior elements.
- Landscape Renovations (including but not limited to):
- Installation of landscape elements (in-ground or planters) along base of exterior, stand-alone signage and entrances to buildings.
- All landscaping requires the use of low-water, drought-tolerant native plants (NOTE: use Water Saver Program Eligible Plants List)
- Signage Renovations (including but not limited to):
- Removal of non-conforming or outdated signage;
- Sign consolidation (combining multiple tenant signage into a single multi-tenant pylon sign); and
- Replacement of temporary signage with permanent signage affixed to building.
- Improvements or repairs to parking lots, parking areas, or parking spaces are noteligible expenses.
- All proposed improvements must conform to respective Unified Development Code and Historic Preservation requirements, as applicable.
Eligibility Criteria
- Owners and/or tenants of commercial properties in a Program Eligibility Area that meet the Small Business Administration (SBA) definition for a small business in their unique North American Industry Classification (NAICS) codes.
- Non-profit organizations, as defined by Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, will also be eligible.
- Owners and/or tenants of commercial properties in a Program Eligibility Area.
- Tenant must receive approval from property owner.
- Owner must have owned the building prior to January 1, 2021.
- Tenant must have been in business at the location prior to January 1, 2021.
- Property must currently be in compliance with all Zoning and Unified Development Code requirements or commit to complying prior to completion of the proposed project.
- Applicant and/or property owners must be current on all City property taxes.
- No City liens against applicant and/or property owner.
- Property and all proposed improvements must face and be visible from the public right-of-way.
- Ability to meet program insurance requirements.
- Project must be completed within six 6 months of commencement.
Ineligibility
- Franchisors (local or non-local)
- Gambling/Gaming Businesses
- Sexually Oriented Businesses
- Payday & Auto Loan Providers
- Liquor Stores
- Tobacco, CBD, and Vape Stores
- Government owned and/or occupied buildings
- Any business in which a City employee or officer has a financial interest, as defined in Sec. 2-53 of the City’s Ethics Code
For more information, visit City of San Antonio.