Facade Improvement Program

Print Feedback

Font Size: + -

The Louisville Revitalization Commission (LRC) is offering a newly created Façade Improvement Program for businesses within the qualifying Highway 42 Urban Renewal Area. The Program is intended to encourage investment in and maintenance of permanent exterior building face improvements. $250,000 is available for calendar year 2022. This funding is available on a first come, first serve basis and is awarded as a reimbursement of eligible project costs based on the total cost of the project. Funding is awarded on a tiered basis so that smaller projects receive a higher reimbursement percentage; please see the Reimbursement Schedule for full details.

Program Eligibility

All commercial properties located within the Highway 42 Urban Renewal Area (URA)
Business entities must be registered with the Colorado Secretary of State and be current on filings and payment

Program Requirements

A completed Application must be submitted to the LRC, which includes all of the following:
- Detailed project narrative;
- Pictures of existing façade;
- Proposed building elevations;
- Cut sheets for windows;
- W9 for business entity;
- Estimated cost of improvements; and
- Confirmation of year building constructed.
If the business rather than the property owner is the applicant, they must submit a letter from the property owner authorizing the work
Requests for buildings built prior to 1955 must also complete a review with the Louisville Historic Preservation Commission
Significant changes must also complete a review with Planning
Upon approval, applicant must agree to and execute an improvement agreement with the LRC
Applicant must obtain all required permits and complete improvements prior to receiving program reimbursement

Reimbursement Schedule

Eligible Project Costs	Percentage to be Reimbursed
$0 - $15,000	100% reimbursable
$15,000 - $50,000	75% reimbursable
$50,000 - $100,000	50% reimbursable
$100,000 +	Reviewed on a case-by-case basis

Eligible Improvements

The following improvements are considered eligible for reimbursement under the Façade Improvement Program; improvements outside of this list that are conducted in the same scope will be excluded from funding:

Restoration and cleaning of masonry (brick, stone and concrete);
Repair or replacement of windows (historic windows should be repaired);
Lighting attached to the building;
Restoration and repair of original architectural details;
Removal of inappropriate façade materials;
Installation or repair of awnings or canopies;
Improvements to alley entryways;
Parking lot/infrastructure improvements that are accessible to the general public (landscaping, bike racks, etc.);
Creation of or improvements to outdoor seating areas (only permanent changes, not including furniture or fixtures);
Repair or replacement of primary/main doors;
Painting (when determined to be of an appropriate nature for the character of the property and neighborhood);
Permanent or reusable signage that meets sign code requirements (when determined to be of an appropriate nature for the character of the property and neighborhood); and
Zoning review fees or architectural costs.

Improvements that were completed prior to application, in-progress improvements that did not receive all required permits, improvements that are covered by insurance, and improvements that are not compatible with the original character of the building or neighborhood are also not eligible for reimbursement through the Façade Improvement Program.

Approval Process

The process begins with the submittal of a complete application and ends once the applicant has completed the improvements. The approval will likely take a minimum of four weeks, since each application must be submitted to the LRC after staff review. Improvements to buildings that were built prior to 1955 or improvements that constitute a substantial change will require additional reviews by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) or Planning, respectively.