City extends application deadline for Façade Program

The City of Austin's Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Office is extending the application deadline for commercial and civic building owners in the 11th & 12th Street Redevelopment Area to participate in its commercial façade improvement grant program. The deadline has been extended to December 15, 2003 at 5:00 p.m.

The program offers a four-to-one match on expended funds, with a maximum of $15,000 per building, and corner lots a maximum of $30,000. Eligible matches can be directly from the owner, through bank financing or a personal loan and must be verifiable. Forgivable loans will be made to the commercial property owners from the city until all allocated funds are exhausted.

Properties eligible for the program include those in the 11th and 12th Street Urban Renewal Area which encompasses the East 12th Street corridor, from IH 35 to Poquito Street, and the East 11th Street corridor, from Branch Street to Navasota Street which was approved as the 11th & 12th Street Urban Renewal Area. Properties must be zoned commercial and used primarily for commercial business.

In addition, only those sides facing the public right of way or are visible from a public right of way are eligible If the building is historic all rules must be satisfied, if it's not historic, the property must be made pedestrian friendly, maintain the integrity of the original building, and match surrounding building styles.

Eligible uses include but are not limited to: Masonry cleaning and repair, removal of secondary siding, window and door replacement and repair, exterior painting, exterior cleaning, canopy and window installation, replacement or repair, and installation, repair or replacement of gutters and down spouts.

To apply for the program, contact the Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department by phone, 974-3167, or e-mail, heather.lagrone@ci.austin.tx.us

The Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Office's mission is to provide housing, community development, and small business development services to benefit residents so they can have access to livable neighborhoods and increase their opportunities for self-sufficiency.

The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Please call 974-3100 (voice) or 974-3102 (TDD) for assistance. This project is made possible by funding from HUD through the City of Austin.

CONTACT: Julie Beggs, 974-3121 (voice)