DOWNTOWN FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Description of Project:
The Downtown Façade Improvement Program is a $1.2 million grant to upgrade the exteriors of buildings in downtown Flint. Begun in October of 2001, the program is funded by the Ruth Mott Foundation and administered by the Community Foundation of Greater Flint. So far over 40 building projects have generated over $2,000,000 in visible improvements. The program provides qualified properties a dollar-for-dollar match on exterior building improvements up to a maximum of $25,000 per grant. The grant has worked with both owner-occupied and non-owner occupied properties located in the Saginaw Street corridor between Fifth Avenue and Court Street.
Program Objectives:
The goal of the façade improvement program is to preserve and restore historically significant structures as well as other commercial buildings in downtown Flint. Facades and their attendant awnings and signage are the most visible elements of the downtown streets. The program has made substantial improvements in the appearance and function of many properties. By enhancing the overall attractiveness of the central city area it has encouraged current local businesses to stay downtown by increasing their capacity to prosper and expand in their present locations. Furthermore, the program is promoting the development of unused buildings by offering new investors an incentive to rehabilitate or restore exteriors while they are preparing interior spaces for new tenants.
Program Criteria & Eligibility:
A facade under this program is considered the side of the building facing a street or alley. The entire side of the building from sidewalk to roof is eligible for rehabilitation. The roof is not.
Buildings within downtown’s Saginaw Street corridor are the focus of the program. Boundaries are Fifth Avenue on the north, Fifth Street on the south, Garland and Beach Streets on the west and Wallenberg on the east.
Building owners, as a requirement of the grant, must have a completed architectural plan for upgrading their facade in a manner that is consistent with the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation.
All eligible prospective grant applications can apply for a $300 reimbursement for architectural consultation expense incurred whether they submit a grant or not. The preliminary architectural evaluation should provide the owner and the Facade Committee with significant design features they feel necessary to rehabilitate the facade per the program guidelines and an estimate of probable project costs.
An additional $1,500 in reimbursement may be applied for to cover the expense of an architect to review the exterior of the structure, prepare suggested rehabilitation measures in written and graphic format that shows the master plan rehabilitation of the facade, any phasing that the owner is considering, and estimation of probable cost. All architects must have knowledge and experience in historic rehabilitation, The Secretary of the Interior Standards, tax credits, and be able to advise their clients on how to take advantage of these options. The committee will provide a list of qualified architects who have expressed interest in working with the program.
Some Examples of Completed Grants:
Jag The Haberdasher - $16,246
610 Martin Luther King Boulevard
JAG’s created a striking façade renovation with limited funds. New enlarged storefront windows, masonry repair and replacement, a new canopy, new signage and lighting for the exterior were key elements of the façade improvement.
Soggy Bottom Bar - $6,495
613 Martin Luther King Boulevard
The Soggy Bottom Bar received new eye-catching signage to entice visitors to this new downtown hangout.
General Optical - $8,260
523 Martin Luther King Boulevard
Overall cleaning of this façade including the panel system behind the newly painted existing grillwork above the storefront made major improvements to this building’s street appeal. New planter boxes line the sidewalk as well.
Riverfront Character Inn - $6,055
1 Riverfront
The refurbished downtown Inn received a classy new sign facing Saginaw Street.
Hardy House - $36,295
525 Garland Street
This historic house within the façade program boundaries received a complete restoration of the exterior. New windows, new front and rear porches, and an overall new paint job made significant improvements of this building. A grant from the Ruth Mott Foundation will fund repair work for fire damage caused by lighting in June of 2004.
The Torch Bar and Grill - $10,406
522 Buckham Alley
The Torch’s exterior received desperately needed masonry tuck pointing and repair to failing brick as well as flashy, new signage.
The Flint Journal Press Facility - $75,000
1230 E. First Street
The Flint Journal Press Facility with the help of the Façade Improvement Committee boasts durable and beautiful brick veneer at the pedestrian level while providing a sturdy looking building base below the etched glass windows on the Second Street facade. This successful new facility was the only new-build to participate in the façade program.
Manhattan Place - $75,000
116 W. First Avenue
Flint’s premier downtown housing development received assistance with new windows and exterior masonry repairs on their second phase of development.
Paul’s Pipe Shop - $15,881
647 S. Saginaw Street
A long time Flint institution in downtown, Paul’s Pipe Shop removed a false front to reveal one of the most unique and attractive facades around . . . a perfect image for Paul’s unique business.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church - $28,061
711 S. Saginaw Street
This 1873 historic church received assistance in their major exterior restoration program with items that included refinishing of the wood doors and the cleaning and protection of the beautiful stain glass windows.
Time Building - $12,577
522 S. Saginaw St.
The street face of the Time Building was enhanced with masonry repairs, new windows and a new canopy.
Capitol Theatre - $50,000
140 E. Second Street
Flint’s premier theatre and one of the few “atmospheric theaters” remaining in the country was aided in the preservation effort with the repair and restoration of masonry deterioration and repair of the second story marquee, including reinstallation of the striking neon sign, which hasn’t fully worked since the 1970s.
First Presbyterian Church - $48,546
746 S. Saginaw Street
Restoration and protection of the exterior façade ensures the beauty of this 1884 church is preserved as a landmark structure in downtown well into the 21st century.
Julie’s Flint Optical - $12,741
518 S. Saginaw Street
New windows, new canopy, cleaning and redesign of the upper façade gives a new look to the original Schiappacasse’s Candy Kitchen
Dryden Building - $27,936
601 S. Saginaw Street
New windows that duplicate the profile of the original provide a historic look and energy efficiency to the façade of the structure that has occupied the southeast corner of Saginaw Street and Second Street since the early 1900s.
Ferris Furs - $2,924
615 S. Saginaw Street
New windows are the first step in revitalizing this building.
Vogt’s Warehouse - $4,125
715 Martin Luther King Blvd.
A formerly boarded storefront has now been cleared to expose original brick, install windows, and paint a vintage style advertising sign.
Economy Building/Buckham Art Gallery - $2,958
132 W. Second Street
New awnings and repaired masonry help show off this beautiful multi-use building.
The Mad Hatter - $1,500
424 S. Saginaw Street
Emergency façade repairs helped to stabilize the 1950s enameled panel system on the storefront.
Bailiwick Pub - $5,200
836 S. Saginaw Street
Repair of the Tudor-style woodwork and a coat of paint went on one of downtown’s longest-running restaurants.
The Masonic Temple - $33,000
755 S. Saginaw Street
Funds were used to install a wheelchair lift, replacing a large and deteriorating ramp.
Marian Hall - $20,608
539 Martin Luther King Blvd.
New awnings, paint and masonry repair will help revitalize this building.
Brown Sugar Cafe - $35,000
432 S. Saginaw Street
With the old enamel panel system removed and windows reinstalled, this property is ready to welcome new upper-floor tenants.
Land Bank Center - $75,000
452 S. Saginaw Street
One of Flint’s new landmark properties, this multi-use building will house the Genesee County Land Bank, Genesee Institute, professional offices, loft apartments, and will soon be the home of the Crim Fitness Foundation.
Michigan Medical Supply - $25,000
625 S. Saginaw Street
A 1930s tile system will be removed and the Art Deco storefront restored to attract a tenant to this storefront.
Flint City T-Shirts - $25,000
629 S. Saginaw Street
An aluminum and glass window system will grace this building, which along with a new awning will improve visibility for the tenant business.
Brown Sugar Café - $1,685
432 S. Saginaw Street
New signage to be installed on the canopy will help attract patrons to this new gathering place.
Baker’s Drugs - $25,000 & Dale’s Health Foods - $25,000
506 S. Saginaw Street & 502 S. Saginaw Street
Dale’s and Baker’s will be combined into the new Community Foundation Building, with the offices of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint on the 2nd floor, commercial space on the ground floor, and loft apartments on the 3rd floor. Interior demolition is already underway. |
For Additional information Contact:
Joel Rash
C/O Community Foundation of Greater Flint
joelrash@umflint.edu
810 767-7373
Downtown Improvement Committee:
Shannon Easter, Chair
Bob Piper
David White
Tracey Atkinson
Heather Burnash
Sherilynn Everly
Louis Hawkins
Kay Kelly
Park Smith
Ron Campbell |
