NHCD moves forward with façade improvement projects for East Austin businesses

Several businesses in the East 11th and 12th street Community Preservation and Revitalization (CP&R) zone will soon begin sprucing up their appearance with the help of the City of Austin’s Department of Neighborhood Housing and Community Development (NHCD).

NHCD was recently awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the amount of $198,400 for its Facade Improvement Program. Eight eligible business owners have been designated to receive those funds through the Façade Improvement Program to improve or enhance the visual quality of their commercial buildings.

The Facade Restoration Program offers financial assistance to eligible property owners in the East 11th and 12th street CP&R zone that are seeking to renovate or restore commercial building facades. The goal of the program is to create a major and lasting impact on commercial buildings, restore and preserve the historical character and increase or maintain the economic vitality of the area.

Properties eligible for the program include those in the 11th and 12th Street 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.

The city matches $4 for every $1 committed by the business or property owner with $3,000 to $15,000 available per building and deferred forgivable loans for approved façade improvements. The program is part of the City’s ongoing effort to help revitalize this commercial district.

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