The City of Rochelle, in its continuing effort to support the revival and development of the Downtown, has created a Façade Improvement Program for all business owners and operators within the Downtown.
The City will provide a 50% matching grant, with a maximum amount of $5,000 to Downtown business or building owners who complete eligible improvements to the facades of their buildings. Improvements must be constructed within six months of application approval. The City will match dollar-for-dollar an owner’s investment in eligible improvements to the appearance of their building’s storefront façade. The building or business owner who has funded most of the improvements must apply for and be approved in order to receive the 50% matching grant.
All commercially operated buildings within the Downtown are eligible for the Façade Improvement Program. Only one grant will be awarded per building within a five-year period. Only improvements to facades that directly front a public right-of-way are eligible for funding. Any building with a zoning or building code violation is not eligible for the program. Any commercial building owner, or business owner with building owner authorization, may apply for the grant. Façade improvements beginning construction before March 1, 2019 will not be eligible. Examples of eligible projects include: brick cleaning, exterior doors, streetscape elements, tuck pointing, windows and window frames, landscaping, painting, shutters & awnings, stairs, porches, railings, wall façade repair & treatment, exterior lighting, roofs visible from the street, original architectural feature repair or replacement, signage repair or replacement, or improvements for ADA compliance.
A complete list of eligible expenses, boundary map and applications procedures are available for pick up at the Community Development Department located at 333 Lincoln Highway and on the City’s website here. For questions or information, please contact Michelle Pease, City of Rochelle Community Development Director.