The Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP) Exterior Improvement Grant is a program designed to help property owners and businesses make high-quality exterior improvements to their commercial buildings.
Projects must be located within the boundaries of the Downtown SSMID to be eligible (see map).
What we are trying to accomplish:
- Encourage good property stewardship through investment in core infrastructure and maintenace of buildings
- Increase property investment that directly relates to improving the aesthetics of buildings and places in Downtown Davenport
- Enhance the pedestrian experience Downtown by improving the overall beautification and visual appearance of buildings and commercial storefronts
- Help new and existing businesses succeed by enhancing their curb appeal
- Increase commercial property values Downtown
What kind of projects are eligible?
Examples of eligible projects include:
- Exterior building repairs
- Exterior painting
- Tuck-pointing and masonry repair
- Window & door repair/placement
- Storefront repair/replacement
- Canopies & awnings
- High-quality fencing
- Exterior lighting
- Outdoor planters and street furniture
- Fees for design and permitting
All improvements funded in part by DDP must permanently remain with the property.
What is not eligible:
It is not intended to fund routine building maintenance (i.e. roof replacement)
Grant Amount:
- Up to $20,000 per project
- The request cannot be greater than 50% of the total qualified project costs
- To be eligible for the full $20,000, applicants are required to utilize the services of architectural and/or engineering professional
- If project design is not included in the application, the max grant award is $15,000
Design Assistance
Most Exterior Improvement Grant projects will require the services of a design professional. The Pre-Development Grant program offers optional design assistance if you are not already working with an architect or designer and need help.
Plans for all exterior improvements must be reviewed and approved by the Design Review Board (DRB) prior to the start of work.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for grant assistance prior to projects being completed.
Additional information:
The DDP ESIG program will be used according to this program overive and strategically to implement the recommendations of the Downtown Davenport Master Plan. Please note that this grant program is not an entitlement and not ever application will be approved for funding. The approved amount of a grant may be less than the maximum, depending on DDP priorities, funding availability, and eligible project expenditures. DDP staff will work with each applicant to determine the recommended scope of work and confirm the total grant amount.
The DDP also offers a variety of grant programs to incentivize property and business improvements. Our goal is to use DDP resources efficiently, while leveraging private investement to the fullest extent possible. In most cases, DDP will advise each applicant to apply for only one DDP incentive for their project. However, DDP staff may choose to recommend approval for more than one incentive for a high-impact project or a strategically significant property.
About the City Design Review Board
The Design Review Board is a citizen board created in 2007 whose members are appointed by the Mayor with confirmation by City Council. The Downtown Design Overlay District was created to improve the quality of development and the visual appeal of Downtown Davenport.
All exterior construction within the Overlay District is reviewed and approved by the Design Review Board. This would include the construction of new buildings, additions to existing buildings, façade renovations, parking enhancements, landscaping, demolitions and other substantial external changes visible from the public right-of-way. Matt Werderitch, Planner, Development & Neighborhood Services, can help explain the Design Standards or answer questions about how the Design Review Board approaches petitions for approval.
Matt can be contacted at (563) 888-2221 or at Matt.Werderitch@davenportiowa.com. Additional information about the Design Review process can be found on the City of Davenport’s website.
Review Process
Applications are managed by the DDP Business Retention & Recruitment Committee that meets quarterly to review submissions. Projects and committee decisions will be shared with the DDP Board of Directors. The total grant funding available is determined by the approved annual DDP budget (fiscal year is July 1 - June 30).
DDP reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals.
FY24 Deadlines
- September 15, 2023
- November 15, 2023
- January 1, 2024
- March 1, 2024
- May 1, 2024
Grant requests are typically reviewed, and decisions shared with applicants within thirty days of the aforementioned dates.
Application Steps:
- Submit your initial project idea
- Send DDP staff some basic info about your project -- including where the property is located, what you'd like to change, and current pictures of the existing space.
- Prepare a project budget and design plans
- Create an itemized budget for your proposed project, and basic drawings of the exterior improvements you plan to make
- Submit your final application to DDP using the form below
- DDP staff will review the budget and present the application to the DDP Business R&R Committee
- Apply for Design Review Board (DRB) Approval
- Every project that receives DDP incentives must be approved by the DRB for architectural, historical, and contextual compatibility based on the Downtown Davenport Design Guidelines
- DRB approval can happen concurrently with, before, or immediately following DDP review and approval
- Exceptions will be made for projects that do not require permits
- DDP staff will contact applicants with award decision
- Begin work!
- Once your application is approved DRB, you can start work
- Please note that an approved ESIG may be canceled if your project has not been completed within one year of the date it was approved
- If projects are incomplete after one year, a written request must be submitted to DDP staff in writing and the continuation of holding funds will be at the discretion of DDP.
- Once the work is complete and contractors are paid, submit a request for reimbursement from DDP staff.