Façade Grant Program

The Façade Grant Program promotes the maintenance and rehabilitation of central business district properties by providing matching grants to business and building owners.

Qualifying Façade Projects

1. To qualify for a grant, the proposed project must meet the following criteria:
2. Maintain historic or architectural integrity
3. Preserve or restore architectural features
4. Use material and colors that match building or district identity
5. Consider the entire building
6. Take cues from neighboring buildings
7. Maintain continuity with character of district (i.e. storefront retail, etc.)
   Improve or maintain interest and appeal at street level
   Expand or maintain visual access to building interiors

Qualifying Façade Locations

Buildings which lie inside the area bounded by Pike Street and Madison Street and 5th Street and 3rd Street.

Funding Guidelines

• Full Façade* – 75% up to $4,000
• Windows – 50% up to $2,000 if part of other façade work
• Doors/Trim – 50% up to $500
• Awnings – 75% up to $1,500 (per awning)
• Signs – 75% up to $1,000
• Planters attached to building façade and matching façade – 75% up to $1,000
• Major Façade Renovations (Buildings located on Main Street only) – 75% up to $6000

*	Full façade projects include a group of activities done together as one project, for example, painting, exterior rehabilitation, windows, and entryways.

Major Façade Renovations

If a complete façade renovation project is undertaken, including, for example, uncovering and renovating historic features, applicants may qualify for a larger grant. The maximum major façade renovation grant is 75% up to $6,000, and the project must be located on Main Street in order to qualify.

Application Guidelines

A maximum of one façade grant application per building per calendar year will be accepted, with no more than two successive approved requests per building, not including sign requests.

Façade Grant Application Procedure

DGI, in contract with City Elements, LLC will accept applications year round. City Elements will review each application and ensure that it complies with the design, scope, and expectations set forth by Downtown Goshen, Inc, which include, but are not limited to, approval of project colors. The DGI Façade Committee will make final approval on all Façade Grants based on the recommendations of City Elements.

Once the application has been approved, City Elements, LLC, will work with each grant recipient to:

1. Provide consultation on the proposed project
2. Inspect and take a “Before” photo of the proposed project area
3. Complete and collect the “Acceptance of Terms” form
4. Collect proof of current tax payment on the proposed building
5. Provide recommendations, as requested, on contractors for labor
6. Inspect and approve project completion
7. Take “After” photo of completed project

Conditions and Terms of Grant
The work for facade projects must be done in a manner consistent with the description of such work in the application submitted to DGI for the grant request.

Selection of Contractor
While City Elements has experience and expertise in historic renovation, façade grant recipients are in NO WAY obligated to hire City Elements for the approved project.

Project Duration
Unless otherwise approved, all projects must be completed within one year of the project’s initiation. Incomplete projects result in a forfeiture of funds. Grant recipients may request an extension. Extensions may be approved by the Façade Committee if substantial progress is demonstrated.

Permitting and Approval
All work to be performed on the Grant recipients building must comply with Goshen ordinances, codes, and regulations. It is the sole responsibility of the Grant recipient to obtain any and all zoning clearances, variances, permits, and approvals.
Contact the Goshen City Planning Department to ascertain what approvals will be required for your project.

Payment for completed work
To receive funds, the Grant recipient must:

1. Request a final inspection from City Elements.
2. Provide invoices to City Elements for completed work.
3. Once this is complete, Downtown Goshen, Inc. will pay the approved amount to the Grant recipient.

Apply online

Use our online form to apply for your grant.