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Storefront Renovation Program
The Cleveland Heights Storefront Program combines the talents of the City’s design specialists with rebates and loans to create transformative storefront renovations in all of our commercial districts. The Program requires comprehensive façade rehabilitation and is not a maintenance program. The entire building must be transformed - -one portion or tenant cannot be singled out for rehabilitation.
All funding for the Program comes to the City through Federal Community Development Block Grant funds. Before a building can be considered for the program, staff must visit the site to verify that the property’s condition meets federal standards to be admitted into the program.
Past Projects
View before and after photos of past renovation projects.
Information About Eligibility
For more information about eligibility, provide property address in an email message to Brian Iorio, Storefront Program Coordinator.
The program is an exterior rehabilitation program that combines financial incentives (rebate and/or loan) with free City design assistance. Eligible rehabilitation costs include: storefront, windows, doors, painting or cleaning treatments, bulkheads, masonry repairs, paving, lighting, awnings and landscaping. Roofing is covered if part of a larger project in order to protect the investment in the façade.
Signage may be included if it is part of a larger comprehensive rehabilitation project. All work is subject to Federal Prevailing Wage Regulations. Some projects may require the applicant hire an architect or engineer. Funding is limited and projects are competitively reviewed.
Rebates are available in all commercial districts. In the Coventry, Cedar Lee and Cedar Fairmount districts, projects are eligible for a rebate of up to 35% of the total exterior renovation project cost, up to a maximum of $40,000.
In all other commercial districts, projects are eligible for a rebate of up to 50% of the exterior renovation project cost, up to $40,000. The Program participant must outlay the money first and, after providing documentation, the funds are rebated. Rebates may be used in conjunction with City loans.
The Storefront Renovation Program loan is available to credit-worthy property owners in all commercial districts. The application process is the same as any commercial loan review. The City may offer a loan of up to 60% of the total exterior renovation, maximum loan $100,000. The loan is a no-interest loan with a five year term.
A minimum equity contribution of 10% of the total exterior renovation cost is required for all projects that use both the rebate and loan.
Borrower/Grant recipient agrees to support any Special Improvement District or Merchant Association activities if applicable, including, but not limited to, voting for assessments and payment of dues.
Through the federal government, if your building was put into service before 1936, you may be eligible for a 10% federal rehabilitation tax credit. If your building is a certified historic structure, you may be eligible for a 20% federal historic tax credit. View more information.