The Façade Improvement Grant (FIG) offered by Mount Airy Downtown, Inc. (MAD, Inc.) supports the historic restoration of Downtown Mount Airy’s Municipal Service District. The program encourages property and business owners to enhance their buildings while preserving the district’s historic character.

The FIG program provides financial incentives to business and property owners in the Municipal Service District for historically appropriate building improvements. Administered by MAD, Inc.’s Design Committee, the grant reimburses up to 50% of eligible project costs, capped at $2,000 per project. Funds are limited and allocated annually.

Owners of historic buildings may also qualify for historic tax credits for major restoration projects, with MAD, Inc. available to assist in navigating these opportunities.

 QUALIFYING PROJECTS

Façade Rehabilitations: For contextually and historically appropriate repair, restoration, or replacement of significant façade elements, such as: masonry repair, storefront entrance improvement, painting, awning replacement, professional cleaning, and removal of siding and exterior false façades. The program provides up to 50% reimbursement for eligible costs, to a maximum match of $2,000 per street-facing façade. Design assistance and work specifications from qualified professionals are usually necessary. Grant funding is limited to one (1) grant per address every three (3) years.

Qualifying projects may include, but are not limited to:

• Painting of a façade (One exterior wall, usually facing the street)
• Awning replacement using appropriate materials and colors
• Professional cleaning of brick or stone walls
• Masonry repair (replacement and repointing of mortar, securing stone and brick)
• Repair, reconstruction and/or replacement of architectural details
• Replacement of non-historic doors and/or windows with approved materials
• Removal of siding and exterior false façades
• Rehabilitation or compatible reconstruction of a store front or residential front
• Signage that is compatible with the historic context of downtown district (for non-historic properties, the process will be on a case by case basis)

Non-Commercial Properties: Commercial projects receive priority. Façade improvements to residential buildings may be considered when funding is available and there are no commercial projects in the near-term pipeline.

DESIGN ASSISTANCE

MAD, Inc. has access to free professional design assistance through UNCG to suggest historically appropriate paint colors, architectural features, and drawings for use in construction projects. Contact our Community Engagement Manager to request assistance.

ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS

• All projects must be located within the designated area of the Municipal Service District (MSD map).
• Façade sides are classified with priority given to those with a “public view”. Other façades may be considered, but generally they are less important, and MAD, Inc. reserves the right to limit grant awards for such façades to amounts less than the standard 50% or $2,000.
• Owners and tenants may request grants; however, any tenant must have written permission from the owner in the application submitted to MAD, Inc.
• A property is limited to one grant in a three-year period.
• Eligible projects are those proposed by business owners or tenants in the MSD or residential property owners within the district. MAD, Inc. is unable to award grants to other not-for-profit organizations.

1. Review the grant application packet and potentially the 1997 Downtown Mount Airy Design Guidelines and discuss any questions with the Mount Airy Downtown, Inc. staff.
2. Complete the online application, including design plans or sketches and budget information. If the building owner plans to complete additional renovations, please indicate what is planned and the approximate timeframe. For budget purposes, it is best to get written estimates from prospective vendors or contractors. If the business is a tenant, the written permission of the building owner must be included.
3. The Executive Director will review your application for completeness and conformance with the Design Guidelines, preparing a presentation to the MAD Design Committee and Board of Directors.
4. MAD will review your application with input from the City Planning Department, and will decide to accept, accept with conditions, or reject the application. Meetings of the MAD Board are open to the public and applicants are encouraged to attend.
5. MAD will notify applicants of the decision in writing and submit an agreement form that should be signed before work begins. Projects must be completed within 12 months of the award date.
6. Upon completion of work, the grantee should provide paid invoices and cost information to MAD via the City Planning Department. A payment requisition form should be completed and signed.
7. MAD will inspect the completed project and process the requisition for payment of the approved amount, provided the work is completed in accordance with the application.
8. Approved expenses will be reimbursed, although MAD reserves the right to exclude certain items with written notice during the process.

I, the undersigned, certify that all information presented is truthful and accurate, to the best of my knowledge and belief. I hereby accept and agree to all terms and conditions presented above. I understand that grant funds applied for under this program must be used for the project described above and that funds will be disbursed on a reimbursement basis only, after successful completion and inspection of the project. I further understand that Mount Airy Downtown, Inc. reserves the right to reject any or all grant applications and to waive informalities.