Facade Improvement Program

Two Notch Road Facade Improvement Program - Press Conference: February 2, 2015

The City of Columbia's Facade Improvement Program aims to improve the appearance of commercial corridors throughout the city that are significantly deteriorated. Through this forgivable loan program, business property owners and/or business tenants are able to make improvements to the front and other exterior portions of commercial buildings that can be seen from the public right-of-way.

Facade Improvement Loan (Forgivable) * Property and/or Business Operators fronting Two Notch Road between Taylor Street and Covenant Road * No improvements to Interior Allowed * Forgivable Loan up to Maximum of $15,000 and $20,000/per project site * 80%-City/20%-Applicant Project Cost Split * Any amount above City's $15,000 or $20,000 Max, reverts to Applicant * Improvements must be maintained by the Applicant for a period of 5 (five) years * Can be used in conjunction with a traditional Commercial Loan from Office of Business Opportunities * Applicant may propose improvements to a secondary facade, only when that facade is CLEARLY visible from the public right-of-way; however, all improvements must be done with the single amount approved Facade Improvement Grant

* Property and/or Business Operators fronting Two Notch Road between Taylor Street and Covenant Road * No improvements to Interior Allowed * Can do any combination of eligible improvement elements listed above, up to $1,999 * There is no commitment investment required from applicant * Application and all procedures remain the same as for a forgivable loan with one difference being that the Davis Bacon Act will not apply. Contractors will not have to be monitored

Facade funds can be used to make improvements to: Windows Masonry/Carpentry Repairs Doors Repair/Install Architectural Detail Awnings Iron Bar Removal & Disposal from Windows and Doors Paint Tree Planting Lighting Security Camera System Installation Signage Fencing

Facade funds can be awarded in three forms: 1) traditional commercial loan 2) forgivable loan 3) forgivable grant