The Alpena Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is looking for property owners who are considering façade renovation projects within the DDA district. Thanks to a Façade Restoration Initiative (FRI) grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the Alpena DDA has $400,000 to grant out to renovation projects over the next year through its Façade Improvement Grant program.

Projects must be located within the designated DDA district, which includes the newly expanded boundary area. Applicants are able to apply for up to 50% façade renovation costs through the grant program for each façade that faces a city right of way (street, alleyway, or public parking lot). Greater priority will go towards facades that face a city street.

Façade projects should be transformational, not just replacement or maintenance of what exists currently. Greater priority will also go towards historic preservation projects that seek to rehabilitate or restore the façade on a historic building.

The renovation of Red Brick at 109-111 River St. was supported by two $10,000 DDA Facade Grants in 2019.

The DDA will be reviewing applications in two rounds to determine how to allocate the $400,000 across projects. Interested applicants must apply to the DDA by:

• Friday, February 23, 2024 at 5:00 pm
• Friday, May 24, 2024 at 5:00 pm

Applicants can expect to receive notification about their application within two weeks of the deadlines. No work can begin until the applicant has a signed grant agreement with the DDA. All projects that are awarded funds through the program must be complete by April 30, 2025.

The DDA has run its local Façade Improvement Grant program since 2007 and has contributed over $100,000 of its own funds to encourage façade renovation projects throughout downtown over the last 15 years. Previously, grant awards were capped at $10,000. With these additional grant funds, projects can apply for up to 50% of expenses.

PIF Cider’s taproom renovation at 205 W. Chisholm St. was supported in 2022 with a $5,000 DDA Facade Grant.

DDA Executive Director Anne Gentry shared: “We are grateful to receive these additional grant funds through the MEDC to support façade renovation projects within Downtown Alpena. Nearly half a million dollars will be transformational to give some downtown properties a facelift. These projects make a huge difference in the visual appearance and historic preservation efforts throughout the district.”

Those who may have a project in mind or are interested in applying should contact DDA Executive Director Anne Gentry at anneg@alpena.mi.us or 989-356-6422.

You can also learn more and view the application here: https://www.downtownalpenami.com/facade-grants.html