The City of Orlando is considering changes to their Downtown Facade and Building Stabilization Program, a funding mechanism that encourages the reuse of vacant and underutilized properties by granting a portion of the funds needed to restore their exteriors.

The program was launched in 2008 and provided grants to residential and commercial buildings owners in the amounts of $5-40,000 or half of the expected costs of the improvements; whichever was less.

Now, City staff are proposing renaming the program to Downtown Commercial and Residential Building Improvement Program and upping the limit of the grant to $15-120,000 or half of the total cost of improvements. Under the newly expanded program, properties in the North Quarter, Eola, and Central Business District would be eligible for funding.

Eligible projects include murals, interior life safety improvements like firewalls, sprinklers, exit signs, etc.

Projects that are ineligible include patios, gutters, or buildings that are five or less years old.

City Council will vote on this item at the upcoming June 3 Council meeting.

Brendan O'Connor

Editor in Chief of Bungalower.com

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