Facade Improvement Program

Facade Improvement Program Application

A. Description and Purpose

Administered by the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC), the CDBG Façade Improvement

B. How does the FIG Program Work?

• Applicants submit an application and a $25 dollar application fee made out to Baltimore Development

  Corporation. (Applications for all FIG programs are available through the BDC website.). Download the application form here.

• BDC’s FIG Design Committee will review and approve proposed facade
  improvements in accordance with the guidelines. Applications are
  approved on a first-come first-serve basis.
• Draft and execute Grant Agreement.
• The City does not reimburse for work done before application approval
  and contract signing.
• Applicants are responsible for obtaining all necessary building permits.
• BDC will inspect the project to ensure conformance with the Grant Agreement.
• The City will authorize reimbursement payment after completion in accordance
  with the approved plan.
• The City will not contract to perform any of the work, but will reimburse the
  applicant for approved expenses.

C. Eligible Applicants and Areas

Building owners and merchants (with owner approval) that are located in eligible designated
commercial revitalization districts. Eligible districts include designated commercial revitalization
areas, Retail Business District License areas (RBDL), Main Street Districts, and Main Street Affiliates.

D. Eligible Uses of Funds

• Architectural and related professional fees.
• Labor, materials, fixtures, and other contract items necessary for the proper execution
  and completion of facade rehabilitation.
• Repair or alteration of exterior facades to recover and/or preserve significant historical
  and architectural features of the structure.
• Exterior painting.
• Door and window replacements.
• Installation of siding and trim treatments including awnings (cloth or fabric preferred)
  and flower boxes.
• Appropriately scaled window areas for display or for looking into a retail business,
  restaurant or service business, with lighting to facilitate night viewing.
• Signs which are attractively integrated into the architecture of the building including
  the window area, doorway and awning or canopy.
• Removal of barriers to access for people with disabilities.
• Removal of heavy, unattractive, roll-down security grates.
• New facade construction or additions in keeping with the architectural context of the
  district will be reviewed and approved if it supports the goals of the community.
• For use by Commercial Retail tenants only.

   General Guidelines

• Improvements conform to urban renewal plan design standards and/or local and national historic
  district guidelines, if applicable.
• Design and proposed use conforms to, or is in harmony with, the character and development
  pattern of adjacent and rear by business.
• The distinguishing original qualities and character of the building shall be preserved; removal of
  historical or distinctive architectural features may disqualify a project.
• Deteriorated architectural features should be repaired rather than replaced, if replacement is
  necessary the new material should match the material being replaced in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities.
• Contemporary design for alterations to existing properties is acceptable if such alterations
  does not destroy significant historical, architectural and cultural materials, and if such design
  is compatible with the size, scale, color, material, and character of the property and adjacent
  buildings.

E. Ineligible Activities

• New construction
• Property acquisition
• Interior remodeling

The information on this page can also be found in the Facade Improvement Program Application.

Facade Improvement Grant Program - SPANISH Informational Handout