Program Overview

The City of Toledo, Department of Economic Development hereby announces the availability of $240,000 in funding for the Facade Improvement Grant Program. The program is designed to incentivize property owners to comprehensively enhance the facade of their commercial, industrial, or mixed-use buildings.

The grant reimburses 50% of eligible expenses incurred during a facade improvement project. For projects located in a City designated Neighborhood Revitalization Strategic Area (NRSA), the grant reimburses 75% of eligible expenses. A facade is defined as the principal face(s) of a building that is on a public street. The minimum reimbursement is $10,000 and the maximum is $40,000.

Eligible buildings must be occupied by a business, have no active code violation citations, and be located in the city of Toledo. Projects must be complete, with necessary permits received, final inspections complete, and all documents required for reimbursement submitted by December 1, 2025.

The grant is subject to a two-year period of compliance and reporting. The grant is collateralized by a restrictive covenant that prevents sale of the property without approval from the City of Toledo until December 31, 2027.

The application is open from January 29, 2025, to March 5, 2025. Applications will be reviewed and scored by the City’s Incentive Advisory Committee (IAC), using the evaluation criteria contained in this notice. The IAC consists of eight independent citizens that provide oversight of the City’s incentive programs. Upon completion of review, the IAC will recommend the top-scoring applications to the Mayor, who shall have the sole and absolute discretion to award funds.

The program is part of the City’s Vibrancy Initiative, which is designed to enhance the city’s vitality by supporting revitalization efforts that create jobs, reduce blight, and preserve and improve structures in our community. A full list of Vibrancy Initiative programs can be found here. Please note that a building is not eligible to receive both a Facade Improvement Grant and a White Box Grant in the same year.

The City partners with business development organizations to provide application and project support to applicants at no-cost. For more information, call (419) 245-1452 or email EconomicDevelopment@toledo.oh.gov. The City and its partners are also hosting office hours on Wednesday, February 5, from 12:00 to 2:00 PM at the Main Library.

Eligibility

Eligible projects must be complete, with necessary permits received, final inspections complete, and all documents required for reimbursement submitted to the Manager of Development by December 1, 2025.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Applicant owns the building for which they are applying.*
• Applicant is in good standing with governmental entities. To check standing, contact:
  • Division of Taxation: (419) 245-1662
  • Public Utilities: (419) 245-1800
  • Code Enforcement: (419) 245-1400
  • Lucas County Auditor: (419) 213-4406**

*If the applicant does not own the building for which they are applying but does have the building under contract, the applicant is eligible to apply for the grant. However, grants will not be awarded until the applicant owns the building for which they are applying.

**Ensure that all properties owned by the applicant are current on property tax.

Eligible Buildings

Eligible buildings must:

• Be located in the City of Toledo
• Have no active code violation citations
• Contain a first-floor commercial or industrial business, or have a committed first-floor commercial or industrial tenant. Occupying businesses must be registered with the City of Toledo.

Ineligible Buildings

Buildings with an exclusively single-family residential, multi-family residential, or storage use, or which contain the following businesses are not eligible:

• Payday loan businesses
• Pawn shops
• Firearm or other weapons dealers
• Adult entertainment
• Self-storage

A building may not receive more than one Facade Improvement Grant in its lifetime, and may not receive both a Facade Improvement Grant and a White Box Grant in the same year.

Eligible Expenses

The grant provides funding for enhancements to a building's facade. A facade is defined as the principal face(s) of a building that is on a public street. Eligible projects include replacement, repair, or addition of at least two of the eligible expenses below.

Eligible expenses include:

• Building facing materials (such as brick, siding, or decorative features)
• Windows
• Doors
• Gutters and downspouts
• Stairs
• Ramps
• Sidewalks on private property
• Exterior lighting
• Exterior painting (acceptable paint color standards may be found in TMC 1109.0502)
• Awnings
• Canopies
• Signage
• Walk-up service window
• Non-commercial artist mural approved by The Arts Commission
• Permanent patio or deck that complies with the City’s Outdoor Dining Guide and encroachment permit requirements

Roofing expenses are non-reimbursable, but are eligible toward an applicant's match when accompanied by a at least two of the expenses listed above.

Ineligible expenses include:

• Paving (except for sidewalks on private property)
• Landscaping
• Fencing (except for those on a permanent patio or deck)
  

All enhancements must be located on private property and comply with zoning and building codes. Any eligible expense incurred prior to the execution of the Facade Improvement Grant Agreement, or work performed without required permits, is ineligible for reimbursement.