Downtown Facade Program
The goal of the Downtown Facade Program is to help business owners invest in their properties, while improving the appearance and restoring the historic character of downtown Elburn. Up to a 50% matching grant to downtown business district business or building owners who construct eligible improvements to the facades of their buildings. The village will match dollar-for-dollar an owner’s investment to the appearance of their building’s storefront facade up to a maximum amount of $5,000.
Questions?
Please contact the Village Administrator.
Eligible Properties
All commercially operated buildings within the Old Town Elburn Business District are eligible for the Facade 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.
Eligible Improvements
Funding is only available for the following improvements:
- Brick cleaning
- Tuck pointing
- Painting
- Wall facade repair and treatment
- Exterior lighting
- Repair or replacement of original architectural features
- Signage repair or replacement
- Exterior doors
- Streetscape elements
- Windows and frames
- Landscaping
- Shutters and awnings – cloth or similar material that is not backlit
- Stairs
- Porches
- Railings
- Roofs visible from the street
- Improvements for ADA compliance
Ineligible Improvements
The Facade Improvement Program will not provide funds for the following:
- Working capital
- Debt refinancing
- Permit fees
- Legal fees
- Plumbing repair or improvements
- HVAC repair or improvements
- Parking lot resurfacing
- Interior remodeling
How to Apply
Only completed applications which include all required submittal documents and information will be accepted. The Village Design Review Committee will review the application for accuracy and will determine if the application meets the requirements for funding. Those requirements include adherence to the design guidelines of the Old Town Elburn Business District Development Plan and that the improvements south are eligible under the provisions of the Facade Improvement Program. If the application is determined to meet the requirements of the program, the application will be forwarded to the Village Board for approval. All decisions regarding eligibility of an application are final.
Following Approval
If the Village Board approves the application, the applicant must enter into an agreement with the village. The agreement stipulates that all improvements must be constructed within 180 days of approval. Matching grant funds will only be distributed to the applicant once the construction of the approved improvements has been inspected by the Village Building Department.