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NENA Commercial Façade Improvement Program
  
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Program Summary

Eligible Properties: Eligible commercial properties must be located within the physical boundaries of the Nokomis East Neighborhood. Only commercially zoned property is eligible. No "home-based businesses," or properties zoned residential-only will be considered or allowed. Both owner-occupied and leased properties are eligible; however, the tenant or lessee must obtain the Owner's written authorization to cause the improvements to be made.

Multi Tenants and Properties: These Grants are meant to improve an entire commercial property, and not any individual business or businesses at the exclusion of others within a property. Properties with multiple business tenants must apply the same façade improvement principles across the entire property concurrently and as one project. Businesses spanning more than one property must apply the façade improvements across the entire business façade at the same time. In that case, the Owner or Tenant of each affected property may apply for a separate grant covering that physical portion of the business on his or her property. In the case of multiple Owners of a single commercial property, only one grant may be used per property.

Maximum Grant: The NENA Commercial Facade Improvement Program will provide matching grants up to $8,000 per single business-tenant property and up to $8,000 for each additional business-tenant in a multi-tenant commercial property, up to a maximum amount of $20,000 per property. The total payment will not exceed the approved Grant amount or fifty percent (50%) of the final project cost, whichever is less.

Professional Design Supplement: In addition, up to $1,000 in supplemental 1:1 matching funds may be awarded to an applicant for the use of a professional architect or architectural firm in the planning of exterior facade improvements and the application of those plans in the finished improvements.

Grant Process and Priority: Applications will be processed in the order they are received. The NENA Design Committee will review completed applications monthly. Applications meeting the criteria of these guidelines will be forwarded to the Program Administrator, Housing Resource Center-Southside (HRC), in the order approved.

Eligible Improvements: NENA grants will only be provided for visible, "curbside appeal" exterior improvements that meet all applicable Minneapolis codes and ordinances and are consistent with NENA's Commercial Façade Design Guide. Such improvements include, but are not limited to:

  • Façade detail and trim restoration or replacement
  • Brick, stone, and wood façade restoration or replacement
  • Restoration or replacement of window and door framesets (with special consideration for increased energy-efficiency)
  • Restoration or addition of building fenestration (window and door openings)
  • Addition or replacement of awnings and canopies
  • Improved exterior signage
  • Exterior façade and signage lighting
  • Show window signage and neon where facing, and visible to, the public right-of-way
  • Decorative exterior lighting that is an integral part of a larger façade project
  • Permanent landscape improvements that add taxable value to the property
  • Decorative fencing along the public right-of-way
  • Permanent bike racks and permanent or semi-permanent benches and seating

See the Commercial Façade Improvement Program Guidelines for a list of ineligible improvements. Any work initiated before the applicant and GMHC have signed a Participation Agreement will not be eligible for this program.

Non-contracted project work ("sweat equity") shall not qualify for Grant funding.

Contracts/Permits: Contractors, as required by Minneapolis ordinances, must obtain any necessary permits.

Where to Start:

  • First, read the Steps to Applying for Grant document.
  • Decide if you are interested and improvements are economically feasable.
  • Then, contact or stop by the NENA office for an application packet, which includes all the necessary materials and a copy of the Commercial Façade Design Guide.

Nokomis East Neighborhood Association, Inc.
3000 East 50th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55417

Phone: 612-724-5652
Fax: 612-724-2770
email: nena@nokomiseast.org
http://www.nokomiseast.org



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