Council establishes $100,000 downtown façade grant program to spur building improvements

The Xenia City Council on May 14 approved a downtown façade improvement program to provide matching grants for building exterior improvements in the downtown urban core.

Assistant City Manager Mr. Henry said the program was developed in response to citizen input and is budgeted for the year. The program will offer matching grants to qualifying building owners or tenants for exterior façade improvements that “enhance and protect the integrity of the city's downtown urban core.” Grants may cover up to 50% of eligible project costs and be awarded up to $50,000 per project; the council allocated $100,000 for the program this year.

Council members praised staff and the law director for helping create the program. The resolution to establish the program passed on a roll call vote.

What comes next: Staff will finalize application rules and eligibility criteria and return with program guidelines and an application schedule.