Downtown Beautification Grant

Main Street’s Downtown Beautification Grant helps stimulate downtown development, improve the visual image of properties and generate pride in the community.

HOW IS THE BEAUTIFICATION GRANT MONEY ALLOCATED?
Funding for this program is limited and applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. Main Street District businesses are encouraged to apply immediately for consideration. The Downtown Advisory Board will review all grant applications during their monthly board meetings. To be included in the upcoming month’s review session, an application must be submitted before the first of each month.

HOW MUCH FUNDING CAN I RECEIVE?
The Downtown Beautification Grant is not a loan. Approved applicants may receive up to $5,000 per project at the discretion of the Board. Funding must be matched dollar for dollar. Applicants may be approved for one application per property per year. Applicants must complete the work within one year of being approved. The Main Street Program will not consider applications on projects where the work has already started.

GRANT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible to receive a Downtown Beautification Grant, you must meet the following standards:

• You must be the property owner or have written authorization from the property owner(s) to conduct the work.
• One grant is allowed per location, per year.
• Improvements must remain in place and be maintained in good order for a period of five years. Graffiti and vandalism must be repaired during this time period. If improvements are removed or not maintained, the Main Street Program may seek full reimbursement for the total amount of the grant.
• Property taxes must be current and applicant must have no outstanding debts to the City of Carrollton.
• Participating businesses must have a current occupational tax certificate (business license).
• The applicant’s business must be located within the Main Street District boundaries.

ELIGIBLE PROJECTS
The following types of improvements are eligible for matching funds through the Downtown Beautification Grant:

• Painting (exterior painting for the building, trim, door, staining)
• Awnings (structure, fabric and installation)
• Signage
• Pressure washing
• Landscaping
• Lighting

All work must align with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation:

Standard 1: A property shall be used for its historic purpose or be placed in a new use that requires minimal change to the defining characteristics of the building and its site and environment.
Standard 2: The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. The removal of historic materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property shall be avoided.
Standard 3: Each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its time, place and use. Changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or architectural elements from other buildings, shall not be undertaken.
Standard 4: Most properties change over time; those changes that have acquired historic significance in their own right shall be retained and preserved.
Standard 5: Distinctive features, finishes and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property shall be preserved.
Standard 6: Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old in design, color, texture and other visual qualities and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features shall be substantiated by documentary, physical or pictorial evidence.
Standard 7: Chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblasting, that cause damage to historic materials shall not be used. The surface cleaning of structures, if appropriate, shall be undertaken using the gentlest means possible.
Standard 8: Significant archeological resources affected by a project shall be protected and presented. If such resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures shall be undertaken.
Standard 9: New additions, exterior alterations or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment.
Standard 10: New additions and adjacent or related new construction shall be undertaken in such a manner that if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired.

NON-ELIGIBLE PROJECTS
The following types of improvements are not eligible for the Downtown Beautification Grant:

• General maintenance other than painting
• Roofs
• Personal property & equipment
• Window replacement
• Vinyl siding
• Window tinting
• Interior window coverings and other interior renovations
• Security systems
• Billboards
• Equipment rental
• Fees and permits

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• You must submit two competing bids for each proposed project.
• The Downtown Advisory Board has final say in the paint color selected for each approved project.
• Planned improvements must be in harmony with City of Carrollton ordinances and building codes. For more information on city codes and ordinances, please contact City Hall at 770-830-2000.
• The surface cleaning of structures must be by the gentlest methods available.
• Sandblasting of brick masonry is strictly prohibited.
• The size, color and shape of a sign should conform to the building’s period, compliment the building and add to the historic flavor of the area. Temporary signage must not be used.
• In addition, the applicant will be responsible for any building permit fees required for the proposed work. Permit fees will not be reimbursed.

APPLICATION EVALUATION GUIDELINES
Applications submitted for the Downtown Beautification Grant will be evaluated for approval based on the following points:

• The extent of the overall proposed project and if the work advances the goals of improving the building’s appearance.
• Whether or not applicant is using local businesses for the design work.
• The impact of the project on downtown streetscape.
• The original condition of the building and the need for the proposed change.
• The extent to which the original building features and/or significant modifications are preserved.
• The removal of historically inappropriate alterations.
• The prominence of the building.
• The quality of the proposed work.
• Frequency of grants requested, so that funds may be available to assist as many properties as possible.

SUBMIT AN APPLICATION
Applications can be submitted to the Main Street Program by completing the form below or completing the pdf version and emailing to mainstreet@carrollton-ga.gov or dropping off at The Depot on Bradley, at 455 Bradley St, Carrollton, GA 30117.  We will review all applications to determine if they meet the eligibility criteria and guidelines for approval before they are presented to the Downtown Advisory Board for review.

NOTIFICATION OF APPROVAL/DENIAL 
The Downtown Advisory Board Members present at the meeting will vote to approve, deny or table all applications. You will receive a formal written correspondence stating the amount you have been awarded or stating the grounds on which your application was denied.

FUNDING INFORMATION
You have one year from the date of approval of your Downtown Beautification Grant to complete the work. If work is not completed in one calendar year, you will forfeit your awarded money. Once work is complete, a member of the Downtown Advisory Board or the Main Street Program may conduct a final inspection before funding will be made available. The following must be submitted:

• Paid receipts (All payments will be reviewed by the Main Street Program)
• Copies of any paid invoices
• Final photographs of finished work