OUR FACADE PROGRAM: Improving Our Downtown

Through its participation in the Commonwealth’s Main Street Program, the DBA will receive annual funding over a four-year period from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to assist downtown Danville business and property owners to finance façade improvements. The DBA has also persuaded several local financial institutions to offer competitive loan rates in order to provide potential applicants additional financial incentives to participate in the program. To be eligible, commercial property and business owners must be located in the Main Street Program area, which largely includes what is already zoned as the central business district, and whose boundaries generally follow Pennsylvania Route 54, Spruce Street, Ferry Street, Mill Street, and Front Street. Click here to see a map of the Main Street Program Area.

The façade grant funds are provided to business and property owners in the form of matching grants, and the DBA will be able to award $120,000 in grants over the next four years. Grant recipients must match dollar for dollar the amount of money received from the DBA. Funding may be allocated to any one business location for up to 50 percent (50%) of the total project not to exceed total reimbursement of $5,000 per storefront.

Anyone who owns or leases commercial property in the designated downtown program area is eligible to apply, however tenants must have the written approval of the building’s owner. Buildings with outstanding code violations are not eligible for this grant.

The DBA Façade Design Committee has developed a comprehensive set of Design Guidelines to serve as a reference guide. The Design Guidelines offer basic information about applicable standards of physical improvements, which have proven to be effective in the revitalization of other downtown business districts throughout Pennsylvania. In addition, the Design Guidelines establish a set of principles to ensure that improvements are consistent with the history of downtown Danville, and the scale and character of its architecture. These principles stress good property maintenance and preservation of original architectural features and encourage the compatibility of any replacement architectural elements and building additions. Copies of the Design Guidelines and grant applications are available at the DBA office or to download them, please click here.

Examples of the types of improvements which are eligible under the DBA Façade Grant Program Design Guidelines are signs, awnings, repair and/or restoration of storefront exteriors, and the cost of professional design services. Since this list is not exhaustive, potential applicants are advised to first obtain and review a copy of the Design Guidelines, and if necessary, discuss their proposed project with the DBA Façade Design Committee.

The DBA will review applications, determine eligibility, and approve the buildings to receive assistance. Projects will be evaluated on the basis of quality, design compatibility, and the level of visual and economic impact. If more applications are received than there is money available, grants will be awarded from available funds on a first-come, first-serve basis to eligible applicants. Applicants not funded can re-apply, if additional funding should become available.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the DBA office at either 284-4502 or 284-4503, or visit the DBA office at 17 East Mahoning Street in Danville. Normal business hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.