Facade Improvement Program Details

How it Works

• Program guidelines: information about eligible activities and who can apply.
• Program process: information about the application and decision-making process.
• Program application: required form with additional information about information that must be included with your application.
• Downtown Design Review: this document explains downtown development standards, design standards, and design review, and when they are applicable.
• Downtown Design Guidelines: some projects may be subject to the downtown design guidelines. This document provides an overview of the design guidelines.

A pre-application meeting with City staff is required before application submittal. If you have questions or would like to schedule a meeting, please contact Community Development at (503) 786-7600.

Eligible Activities and Expenses
Eligible Activities

• Rehabilitation of existing buildings facades visible from the street, including: full storefront makeovers; items such as doors and windows; cornices; gutters and downspouts; signs and graphics; exterior lighting; canopies and awnings; painting and masonry cleaning; and new wall surfaces.
• Out-of-pocket expenses for design, permits, and construction.

Ineligible Activities

• Roof materials.
• Improvements to or within the public right-of-way and street furniture.
• Temporary improvements.
• Items not affixed to the building exterior.
• Improvements to single-family residential buildings.
• Costs for owner-completed work.

Grant Maximum
Maximum grant amount of $10,000. Only one grant shall be awarded under this program to any individual building or leased space.

Design Assistance
Additional design assistance may be available directly from Metro. Design assistance will be focused on the first few promising or high-impact projects, with priority given to projects in the required storefront area (Main Street from Scott Street to Washington Street). City staff can provide additional information about this option at the required informational meeting.

Additional Information
A Design Review (DR) and/or Development Review (DEV) application may be required to construct approved projects. Staff will advise you during eligibility review about what type of land use review, if any, may be required. Land use and permit fees are eligible program expenses.