The Anacostia Economic Development Corporation is facilitating a Storefront Facade Improvement Project in low/moderate income retail/commercial areas of Wards 7 & 8 of  the District of Columbia. With funding provided by the DC Department of Housing Community Development (DHCD) qualified business and/or commercial property owners within the targeted areas receive matching grants for general repairs/maintenance and for the installation of doors, windows, signs, storefront systems, awnings, and lighting. AEDC will provide the business and/or property owners with professional design and construction services throughout the storefront renovation. 

 

The storefront facade improvement enhances the image and overall economic viability of the neighborhood business districts by improving the function and appearance of individual building facades.  It also spurs new private investment in commercial properties in the same location and in adjacent commercial districts. Successful storefront improvement projects manifest readily observable outcomes that positively affect the community.

The program will provide grant assistance in the amount of 75% of the project cost to improve the exteriors of the storefronts. The commercial property/ business owners will only be responsible for 25% of the project cost.

 

 

Examples of the allowable use of funds are as follows:

• Repair persistent exterior damage (water leakage, rotting wood, etc.)

• Restore exterior finishes and materials

• Recess or reconfigure existing doors and entrances

• Repair or replace storefront systems (windows/doors)

• Exterior painting

• Repair or replace existing canopies

• Appropriate decorative architectural elements (shutters, parapets, cornices, etc.).