The City of Grand Rapids is calling on property owners and developers to submit façade revitalization projects to include in a regional grant application for state funds aimed at enhancing community spaces and infrastructure.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program will allocate $100 million statewide to qualifying projects. The City plans to submit a Regional Subgrant Program application focused on façade improvement projects within Grand Rapids.
According to Sarah Rainero, the city's economic development director, eligible applicants include individuals or entities seeking to restore or enhance building facades that impact the public realm or streetscape. The RAP program can fund up to $500,000 or 50% of eligible project costs, requiring a minimum 50% match from sub-applicants.
"Proposals will be evaluated based on the requirements of the corresponding City of Grand Rapids Corridor Improvement Authority (CIA) Façade Improvement Program guidelines, RAP program application and scoring criteria of the project," Rainero said.
CIAs, established to support economic growth and revitalization in key commercial corridors, focus on infrastructure improvements, business development and enhancing the visual appeal of the areas they oversee. They provide funding guidelines and support for façade improvements to enhance streetscapes and public-facing buildings. Grand Rapids has six CIAs: Michigan Street, North Quarter, South Division-Grandville Avenue, Southtown, Uptown, WestSide.
“Whatever we end up with will still be good [because it’s] money that we didn’t have before,” said Verah Narh-Kamara, administrative analyst with the City’s economic development department, during the Nov. 14 South Division-Grandville CIA meeting.
To be considered, proposals must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Dec. 13.
The City’s application focuses solely on façade revitalization projects. Developers with placemaking projects—which must be accessible to the public and not tied to private development—can direct their proposals to Tim Mroz, senior vice president of community development at The Right Place, via email at [email protected].
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