By Stephen Vance, Staff
Meaford is building on the success of last year’s Façade Improvement Grant Program with the return of the initiative this year for those looking to improve their downtown storefronts.
Up to $15,000 is available in grant funding for storefront improvements this year, and according to the program brochure, applications must be submitted by July 18 in order to be considered for this year’s program.
Many changes were seen to the exterior of downtown buildings after last year’s initiative, perhaps most notably the refurbishing of the Bluewater Building on Sykes Street which houses a fish and chip restaurant as well as some residential condominiums.
The seven member condominium corporation which manages the building hired a painting crew to give the structure a facelift with colours appropriate to the period of the building’s early twentieth century heyday. The estimated cost for the weather-proofing, sealing and painting of the building was $15,000. The condominium board received $4,840.52 from the grant fund for their project.
Elizabeth Gow, who received the cheque on behalf of her condominium board last year said that she was pleased with the new program.
“I think it’s wonderful. It gives people the opportunity to enhance the downtown area, and to preserve these historic buildings. It’s a dream come true,” said Gow.
The initiative was born from the development of Meaford’s Community Improvement Plan (CIP).
“In 2008, the Municipality of Meaford approved their Community Improvement Plan (CIP). Part of the CIP include various financial incentives to improve the downtown building, which in turn enhances the economic viability. Council was very pleased that 2013 was the first year that funds could be committed to the Facade Grant program. This program was designed for commercial building owners or commercial owners/tenants who wish to improve the exterior appearance and/or structural quality of their building,” said the municipality last year of the new grant program.
Among the 16 properties approved for the grant funding last year were the Stedmans building, Muxlow Pharmacy, Leeky Canoe, McGinty’s, the Chamber of Commerce office, and the Bluewater Building on Sykes Street, though Armstrong told reporters that some of the approved applicants elected to defer their grant until this year.
Those interested in applying for a grant this year can pick up an application form from the municipal office on Trowbridge Street.
