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Program Description

New Brunswick City Market has developed a Facade Improvement Grant Program to offer technical and financial assistance to qualified property owners or tenants seeking to renovate or restore building facades.

The program seeks to revitalize the City Market Special Improvement District (S.I.D.) area by improving its physical appearance. The program makes available one-time grants of up to 25% of total project cost (to a maximum of $4,000 per grant) for exterior rehabilitation of commercial and mixed-use structures in the S.I.D. This grant is exclusive of, and in addition to, any other financing, loans, or grants to which property owners or tenants may avail themselves. City Market will provide these grants for well-designed improvements that coordinate the important features of a storefront into a more attractive image, including restoration of architectural details, removal of dated and inferior façade treatments, improved windows and doors, and well-proportioned signs and lighting.

Upgrading the image of a commercial district requires the evaluation of each proposed improvement within a local architectural and historical context. It is important that all of the elements of the facade are coordinated in an approach that respects the building's location and neighboring structures, and that makes a noticeable visual improvement. Where feasible, City Market will encourage multiple projects within a given block, so that the positive impacts are maximized. City Market will consider all of these factors in determining approval, modification or rejection of each application.

Façade improvement parameters:

Specific building improvements must be compatible with the original character of a structure. This is particularly important for buildings of historic note, which may have attractive stonework, tiles, windows, doors, etc. that should be retained. The treatment of buildings not having significant historic or architectural features should be in scale with the building and neighboring structures and should be carefully designed. Lighting sources should be unobtrusive and protected from vandalism. Signs should not be extremely large and should not be made of interior lighted or backlighted plastic. Color schemes for signs should be compatible with the building exterior and the visual message shall be legible and attractive. All improvements must be in compliance with zoning regulations of the City of New Brunswick and must conform to City Market's design standards outlined in its manual.

The following elements are encouraged in the context of a comprehensive facade renovation:

• Appropriately scaled window areas for display or for looking into a retail business, restaurant or service business, with lighting to facilitate night viewing;
• Restoration of details in historically contributing or significant buildings and removal of elements which cover architectural details;
• Window replacement and window framing visible from the street;
• Landscaping features where appropriate, such as window boxes or planters;
• Signs which are attractively integrated into the architecture of the building including the window area, doorway and awning or canopy;
• Awnings or canopies (clothe or fabric), where these can be both functional and visually appealing;
• New storefront construction within an existing building;
• Cleaning, repainting or residing of buildings;
• Removal of barriers to access for people with disabilities; and
• Removal of heavy, unattractive, roll-down security grates.

Other improvements may be made, if they meet the objectives of the Facade Improvement Grant Program. Note: City Market reserves the right to reject an application if the designs do not meet with these standards. However, the Committee will make every effort to work with the applicant to revise the design to comply with the standards.

The following elements are ineligible:

• Unattractive ground floor window areas, which do not allow or encourage viewing into the restaurant, business or store;
• Overpowering signs;
• Alcoves or recesses in the building wall that may encourage loitering;
• Loading docks or parking entrances and exits that disrupt the flow of pedestrians;
• Store entrances that do not relate well to the sidewalk;
• Interior improvements or roof repair, not visible from the street;
• Removal of architecturally important features;
• Installation of plastic or vinyl awnings or canopies;
• Installation of heavy, unattractive, roll-down security grates;
• Sidewalk repairs; and
• Alterations which have the effect of decreasing accessibility for people with disabilities.
  

Projects underway or started prior to receiving written approval from City Market's Façade Improvement Grant Program Committee are ineligible to participate in the Facade Improvement Program.

Eligibility

All improvements must comply with standards set forth in the City's zoning ordinance and building codes, as well as applicable sections of the state building codes and federal Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG), and City Market's Design Standards Manual. Improvements to buildings without significant architectural features must be carefully designed to be in scale with both the existing structure and neighboring structures. Buildings with significant architectural qualities should attempt to restore and maintain those features. Access for people with disabilities may be required by law.

Applicants for participation in the Program must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Applicants must be property owners or tenants operating retail businesses, restaurants, service establishments or offices (tenants must have written approval from property owners) with frontage on a street in the S.I.D.;
• Properties must be up to date on all municipal taxes prior to participation in the Program;
• Properties must comply with state and local code requirements;
• Tenants/business owners should have at least a five year commitment remaining on their lease(s);
• Applicants must comply with all state and local laws and regulations pertaining to licensing and permits.

Technical Assistance

The City Market Façade Improvement Grant Program Committee is comprised of professionals (architect, planners, historians, and graphic artists), who can provide specific advice to prospective applicants in the Facade Improvement Program. The Program offers assistance with conceptual design and requires applicants to work with private architects, and possibly artists and artisans, to prepare drawings and execute projects. An early meeting with the Facade Improvement Grant Program Committee is recommended in order to help avoid misunderstandings as to the eligibility of proposals. Some questions to consider when making application include:

• What really needs to be done to the building?
• How much will it cost?
• Does the building have historic or architectural merit?
• How does the building fit in with its neighbors?
• How can this relationship be enhanced by facade improvements?
• Are there several different ways to solve the building's problems?

Funds Availability

New Brunswick City Market has established funding for the Facade Improvement Grant Program through its current fiscal budget.

Financial Assistance

City Market's contribution will be a grant of up to 25% of the cost of eligible improvements, but not more than $4,000. The minimum size of a grant is $500 and the minimum cost of eligible improvements is $2,000. Architectural design fees, up to $750 per project, may be included in the total cost of eligible improvements.

Application Process

A printable version of the application is available by clicking here.