Main Street Façade Grant applications now available

Northern Homes Community Development Corporation received a façade grant last year to assist with improvements at The White House, 417 Boyne Avenue. Pictured from left to right: Barb Lane-Harrington and Jane MacKenzie, Northern Homes staff; and Kelsie King-Duff, Boyne City Main Street Executive Director.

Applications for Boyne City Main Street’s 2017 façade grant program are now available. The façade grant program provides matching funds for Main Street District property owners and tenants to improve the facades of their buildings, in order to maintain the architectural character and economic viability of downtown.

To begin the process, interested property owners or tenants must meet with the Boyne City Main Street Executive Director and Design Committee Chair to discuss the scope of the project. An application must then be submitted by April 27, 2017. After a competitive review process by the Design Committee and Boyne City Main Street Board a decision will be made to which projects receive funding. For every dollar awarded the applicant must spend an equal amount. Individual grant amounts will be up to 50 percent of a project’s cost. A total of $15,000 is available for the 2017-18 cycle.

“The continued support of this program stands as a great example of Boyne City Main Street’s commitment to our community,” Michelle Cortright, Boyne City Main Street chair said.

Funds are provided by the Boyne City Main Street Program with dollars raised through Boyne Thunder. There is no set minimum or maximum number of projects per year. Eligible items under the façade program include, but may not be limited to: removal of siding that was used to cover original building materials, exterior brick or wall surface repair, pointing of brick/mortar joint repair, window and/or door replacement/repair, any architectural details in need of repair and/or replacement.

“The Design Committee looks forward to reviewing the applications for what is always an array of exciting projects and developments for our downtown,” Kelsie King-Duff, Boyne City Main Street Executive Director said.

The grant program seeks to encourage private investment through the rehabilitation and improvement of facades within the Boyne City Main Street District, to encourage good design that will serve as quality examples, and to preserve the architectural character that is distinctive to Boyne City. By improving the appearance of the building facades, the program aims to improve the economic viability of the downtown.

For more information about Boyne City Main Street and the façade grant program, visit www.boynecitymainstreet.com or email mainstreet@boynecity.com.