City of Reading Commercial Façade Grant Improvement
Posted By: Mayor's Court
Monday, February 17, 2025

Recognizing the many benefits facade improvements can make in commercial districts. the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners allocated $250.000 to a new Commercial Facade Improvement Grant Program. The city of Reading was one of five communities to be funded for $50,000. This is a pass-through grant meaning the city will develop and manage the program including establishing eligibility requirements, review and approval of applications. program implementation and closeout, and best practices.

Target Area
The city's program will target the following two business districts: The Reading Bridal District (RBD); and the Do¼ntown Mixed-Use District. The RBD includes three city blocks fronting W. Benson Street from Reading Road to the east and the Village of Lockland to the west, and two blocks along Jefferson Avenue, one block off W. Benson in each direction. The Downtown Mixed Use District includes the parcels facing Reading Road between Benson Street and Vine Street.

Eligible Buildings for Funding

All awarded grant funds must be used for facade improvements which are visible to the public.
Eligible buildings must be located within Hamilton County, Ohio.
Eligible buildings must be a commercial building or contain a first-floor commercial space, meaning it has retail or office use AND is located within an eligible business district.

Ineligible Buildings for Funding

Exclusively single-family residential, multi-family residential. or storage use.
Buildings which contain the following businesses: Payday loan businesses. pawn shops, firearm or other weapons dealers, adult entertainment, franchise and chain businesses, and self-storage.

Eligible Facade Improvements

Architectural. design. and related professional fees
Attached exterior lighting
Awnings, canopies. and any shade mechanisms affixed to the building
Doors and windows
Exterior painting (including murals)
Gutters and down spouts
Improvements made towards ADA compliance
Labor. materials, and fixtures
Rehabilitation of exterior facades to recover and/or preserve significant historical and architectural features
Removal of barriers to access for people with disabilities
Roofing blight improvements
Siding and trim treatments
Signs that are integrated into the architecture of the building
Storefront windows

Ineligible Facade Improvements

Any temporary improvements made to the building
Equipment and furnishings
Expansion of the building area
Fencing (except for those on a permanent patio or deck)
Interior equipment and furnishings
Interior modifications
Landscaping
Parking lots and/or paving
Property acquisition
Public sidewalks
Signage not affixed to the building

How It Works

Property owners wanting to participate in the program must complete and submit the City of Reading Commercial Facade Improvement Grant Application to:
Linda Fitzgerald, Economic Development Director City of Reading
1000 Market St., 2nd Floor
Reading, OH 45215
lindalsrconsult@gmail.com

The application form and program requirements and details can be found on the City of Reading website at www.readingohio.org. Applicants must also submit cost estimates on contractor stationary for all eligible projects to be done and a photograph of the building as it looks pre-construction. Projects will be made for up to 50% of the total project cost, but not to exceed $15,000/grantee. Proposed work must reflect applicable city of Reading design guidelines and zoning regulations which can also be found on the city website.

Once an applicant's project is approved by the city. the property owner can begin the work. Grant funds will be made on a reimbursement basis. The City will invoice the County for grant funds and provide documentation of expenses, including invoices and proof of payment. All facade projects must be complete with necessary permits received, final inspections complete, and all documents required for reimbursement submitted within 18 months of the grant award.

Application Review and Decision

The City's Economic Development Director Linda Fitzgerald will be the Project Manager. Using guidelines established by the city, staff will determine whether a submitted application will be approved and what grant amount will be awarded. Some of these guidelines include:

Total dollar investment by the property owner and/or tenant.
Visibility of improvements from the right-of-way.
Improvements that preserve the historic integrity of the building.
Project supporting the City of Reading Master Plan and/or Reading Bridal District Master Plan.
Projects supporting small business retention.
Projects with high quality design and /or value based on recognized professional standards or best practices including design standards contained in the overlay districts for the Downtown Reading Mixed Use District and the West Benson Street Mixed Use Districts.
Projects that incorporate sustainability and energy efficiency.
Projects with a clear construction timeline.

Timeline

February 2025 staff will solicit applications and begin review and approval of applications.
Rehabilitation work will likely begin in spring 2025 since this is a facade (exterior) program.
All projects must be completed and close out documentation submitted by April I, 2026.

For more information please contact Reading's Economic Development Director Linda Fitzgerald at 513/543-7203 or email at lindalsrconsult@gmail.com

Blog Categories

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