Commercial Property Improvement Matching Grant

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Purpose

Matching grant funding exterior building façade and landscape improvements, including repair, awnings, lighting, painting and signage.

Program Overview

The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Commercial Property Improvement Matching Grant Program is a matching grant for commercial property owners and businesses within Fort Myers commercial redevelopment areas.

  • The grant funds should enhance the project’s quality, the overall curb appeal of the property, and ultimately, the property values along the corridor. This program’s desired outcomes and objectives are to encourage improvements that may not have occurred without the additional grant funds.
  • The maximum potential grant available for a Tier I project is 75% of eligible expenditures, with a maximum award of $50,000.
  • The maximum potential grant available for a Tier II project is 50% of eligible expenditures, with a maximum award of $200,000.

Program Goals

  • To cure or prevent blighted and slum-conditions within all CRA redevelopment areas.
  • To increase the property values within all CRA redevelopment areas.
  • To fill vacant or underutilized spaces within all CRA redevelopment areas.
  • To encourage adaptive reuse and revitalization of commercial corridors within all CRA redevelopment areas.
  • To improve the curb appeal of commercial corridors within all CRA redevelopment areas.

Expenditures Explained

The following expenditures would be considered eligible for reimbursement under the Matching Grant Program:

  • Removal and/or repair or replace deteriorated exterior building materials such as plywood, metal, glass, or stucco.
  • Painting building exterior
  • New or replacement woodwork or architectural details on the exterior
  • Exterior signs (including the removal of old signs and installation of new signs)
  • Awnings (including the removal of old awnings or installation of new ones)
  • Exterior landscaping, planters, irrigation, and screening
  • The lighting of the exterior
  • Brick or textured pavement (exterior)
  • Professional design services for exterior improvements
  • Parking lot improvements
  • Courtyard and outside dining design & development
  • Dumpster enclosures

The following expenditures would not be eligible for reimbursement under the Matching Grant Program:

  • Improvements made before grant approval
  • Interior renovations, including fixtures, equipment, or inventory
  • Professional design services for interior improvements
  • Roof repairs
  • Refinancing existing debts
  • Removal of curb cuts
  • Non-fixed improvements
  • Sweat equity payments
  • Business Payroll
  • General maintenance
  • Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (HVAC, security systems, piping, etc.) Utilities
  • Legal fees
  • Work performed that is not consistent with the Design Guidelines for the CRA according to the Redevelopment Plan and Fort Myers Land Use and Development Regulations or not consistent with the approved project plan
  • Improvements to the following are ineligible for funding: discouraged or prohibited uses, government-owned property, and non-conforming uses

The CRA Board reserves the right to modify or alter the list of eligible and ineligible expenses on a project by project basis.

Get more info

For more on the Application Process, please reach out to the Fort Myers CRA Office before filling out an application.

Email

fmcra@cityftmyers.com

Phone

239-321-7100

Documents