Title
Exterior Paint Improvement Grant Program (B)
Explanation
The Gainesville Community Redevelopment Agency is committed to the economic growth and vitality of East Gainesville. The area has significant potential for redevelopment and opportunities for new development. The South East Gainesville Renaissance Initiative (SEGRI) Master Plan will provide a quality built environment for the area. The construction of the Gateway, with the addition of the streetscape improvements from East University to SE 15th Street, will add aesthetically appealing street and lights in the area. Along with the SEGRI Master Plan, the CRA is also involved with the development of the key corridors in the area; the acquisition of the Hawthorne Road property, Kennedy Homes, and the Exterior Paint Improvement Program.
Since the Façade Program inception in 2003, only four businesses have utilized the program. The CRA used an outreach campaign for the façade grant for 2007-2008, which included a press release, flyers, and direct visits to each business. During the visits staff learned that many merchants did not own the building and were not ready financially to do a complete renovation of the façade. They were however, eager to do some improvements to the overall appearance of the building. The most effective impact was to apply a new coat of paint on the building. Staff felt that an exterior painting program would help assist the Eastside Redevelopment area to improve the physical condition of the buildings in the targeted corridors.
The Exterior Paint Improvement Grant Program is a grant to promote the maintenance and restoration of the exterior of buildings in the Eastside Redevelopment Area. The grant is designed to encourage business and residential owners along the targeted corridors, the financial opportunity to invest in the appearance of their building. The Exterior Paint Improvement Program is a 75% / 25% matching grant of up to $7,500 per building. Target Corridors will be Waldo Road to NE 16th Avenue, East University to NE 15th Street, East University to SE 15th Street, NE 8th Avenue to NE 25th Street.
Staff believes that the Exterior Paint Improvement Grant will be an additional tool to help revitalize the target corridor areas. This grant will also fulfill one of the objectives and goals of the Eastside Redevelopment Plan, which is to improve community identity through a system of neighborhood identification and beautification at key entry points.
Fiscal Note
The current Façade Grant Program (budgeted in account 9999-621-W901-8900) has $30,047. $15,023 will be utilized for the Exterior Paint Improvement Grant Program. This will require the creation of a new unit and/or appropriation code.
Recommendation
Executive Director to the CRA: 1) Hear presentation from staff; and 2) approve implementation of the Exterior Paint Improvement Grant Program.