Downtown Refresh 2026

Applicant and Property Information

This information identifies who is applying and where the work will happen. If you are a tenant, you will need a signed letter of authorization from the property owner (you can upload a draft now and submit a final version later if needed).
Applicant relationship to property
Business name
DBA (if different from legal business name)
Project address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Years the business has operated at this address
Enter zero if this is a vacant space to be improved
Please include contact information for the primary applicant below.
Applicant name

First NameLast Name
Applicant email
example@example.com
Applicant phone number
For grant notification and communicationFormat: (000) 000-0000.
The Internal Revenue Service provides fillable W-9 forms that may be helpful for the following field.
Upload a W-9 form for the primary applicant

Please ensure W-9 and application information match. The address on the W-9 will be the mailing address for reimbursement checks unless pickup at the City Building is preferred.
Cancelof
Please include contact information for the property owner below.
Property Owner name

First NameLast Name
Property Owner Email
example@example.com
Property Owner Phone Number
For grant communication and notificationFormat: (000) 000-0000.
Upload property owner authorization letter

A signed letter from the property owner authorizing the applicant to undertake the proposed improvements and acknowledging the City's reimbursement and inspection requirements.
Cancelof

Project Budget, Match, and Award Calculation

Budgets must be itemized. The City needs to verify that grant funds are spent on eligible improvements visible from the public right-of-way (for grants above $10,000, 50% of grant must be spent on exterior improvements) and that structural or mechanical work, if included, does not exceed 25% of the requested grant. Match documentation is a pass/fail eligibility requirement; applications without acceptable proof of matching funds will not be reviewed.
Vacancy status of the storefront at time of application
Your match tier: 75% City / 25% Applicant. The City reimburses up to 75% of eligible project costs.
Your match tier: 50% City / 50% Applicant. The City reimburses up to 50% of eligible project costs.
Total project cost
Grant amount requested
Maximum: $50,000 per building. Maximum total per property owner across multiple buildings: $100,000.
Applicant match amount
Your contribution to project costs
Upload an itemized budget document, OR complete the line-item table below. Each line should include: description, vendor or contractor, exterior or interior, total cost, eligible portion. Group line items by exterior vs. interior. Include a 10-15% total project cost contingency as a final line item.
Itemized project budget
Itemized project budget upload

Upload documents here or use the above table
Cancelof
Please check which of the following components your project has
Please describe the interior improvements below. For grants above $10,000, 50% of grant funds must support exterior improvements.
Description of interior work
Cost of interior work
Amount you will seek from grant
Structural and mechanical work is eligible for reimbursement up to 25% of the requested grant, and only when necessary to support visible improvements. Identify the structural/MEP cost in your budget.
Description of structural or mechanical work
Cost of structural or mechanical work
Amount you will seek from grant
Documentation of matching funds

Upload documents showing you have access to matching funds to finance this project. Acceptable materials include bank statements within the past 60 days, loan approval letter, line of credit confirmation, or comparable documentation.
Cancelof

Bonus Eligibility

Bonus points reward projects that fill long-term vacancies, secure long-term lease commitments, and preserve historic buildings.
This project is eligible for the +3 bonus point category for filling a storefront vacant 12+ months.
This project is eligible for the +2 bonus point category for restoring a landmark, restoring a building that contributes to the ICRR historic district, or for committing to submit a landmark nomination for the subject property asa condition of grant award and staff find the building is likely eligible for nomination.
If there is an existing business at the property, how many years remain on the lease?
If the property has been vacant for more than one year, have you signed or will you sign a 2-year lease commitment for the space?

Attestations and Acknowledgement

Review your responses before submitting. After submission, you will receive a confirmation email with your application ID. Staff will contact you if additional information is needed.
The applicant is responsible for all project costs, including those exceeding the grant award amount. The City will reimburse only documented eligible expenses up to the awarded grant amount.
Recipients must maintain the funded improvements for five years following project completion. Maintenance is evaluated against photo-documented baseline conditions and existing City code enforcement standards. Failure to maintain may affect future eligibility for City programs.
All required City of Champaign building, sign, and zoning permits must be obtained before relevant work begins. Reimbursement is contingent on work being properly permitted and inspected.
Cash purchases are not eligible for reimbursement. All eligible expenses must be documented with paid invoices and proof of payment (canceled check, credit card statement, electronic transfer record).
I attest that all information provided in this application is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I understand that providing false or misleading information may disqualify this application and may affect future eligibility for City programs.
Please review your application before selecting the below "Submit" button.
Should be Empty:

Downtown Refresh Program - 2026

INTRODUCTION

Eligibility Screening

Applicant and Property Information

Project Description

Project Budget, Match, and Award Calculation

Project Timeline and Team

Community Benefit

Bonus Eligibility

Attestations and Acknowledgement