Minneapolis Great Streets Improvement Grant -
Facade Improvements

The City of Minneapolis offers the Great Streets Improvement Grant as part of its efforts to support commercial corridors, business districts, and small business owners. This program aims to revitalize and beautify neighborhood business areas by providing financial assistance for facade improvements.

What is the Great Streets Facade Improvement Grant?

The Great Streets Facade Improvement Grant helps businesses and property owners improve the exterior appearance of their buildings. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Signage
  • Awnings
  • Exterior lighting
  • Window and door replacements
  • Exterior painting and cleaning
  • Brick or masonry repair
  • Accessibility improvements (e.g., ramps, handrails)

By enhancing the visual appeal of businesses, the program aims to attract more customers, improve the neighborhood aesthetic, and foster economic growth.

Grant Details

  • Grant Amount: The program offers matching grants, meaning that the applicant must provide some of their own funds to qualify. Typically, the grant covers 50% of the project cost, up to a maximum amount determined by the program guidelines.
  • Eligibility: The grant is available to property owners and tenants of commercial buildings located within designated Great Streets areas. Check the Great Streets Map to see if your property is eligible.

Steps to Apply

  1. Check Eligibility: Before applying, confirm that your property is located within a designated Great Streets area. Use the Great Streets Map (https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/great-streets/neighborhood-business-district-map/) to verify your location.
  2. Develop Your Project Plan: Outline your desired facade improvements. Consider consulting with architects or contractors to create a detailed project plan and cost estimate.
  3. Find a Grant Administrator: The City partners with community-based organizations to administer the grant program. These organizations will help guide you through the application process and can offer technical assistance. Victory Neighborhood Association is one of these administers. To find a list of additional administrators click here: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/great-streets/administrator-list/.
  4. Submit Your Application: Complete the application form and submit it to the appropriate grant administrator. Be sure to include all required documentation, such as pictures of your project before work is completed, 2 bids, your project plan, cost estimates, and proof of property ownership or lease, and property taxes are up to date. Click here to download or print the application: Facade Improvement Grant Application. Submit completed application to info@victoryneighborhood.org.
  5. Approval Process: After submitting your application, it will be reviewed by the grant administrator. If approved, you'll receive a grant agreement outlining the terms and conditions of the funding.
  6. Complete Your Project: Once your application is approved, you can begin work on your facade improvements. Remember to keep detailed records of all expenses and follow the guidelines provided by the grant administrator.
  7. Request Reimbursement: After completing the project, submit your documentation to the grant administrator for reimbursement of eligible expenses.
    1. The Grant funds will be disbursed to the Grant Applicant by your Program Administrator based upon the receipt and review of items (a) through (c) below. The Grantee must submit the following items to your Program Administrator upon completion of the work. If more than one contractor is used, there must be complete sets of the items listed below for each contract/contractor:
      a. Proof of final inspection by the City of Minneapolis for work requiring a city permit (send a copy of the permit signed off by the responsible City Inspector), for work NOT requiring a city permit, call Program Administrator (phone) to notify them work is complete.
      b. Final invoice from the contractor showing the total project cost.
      c. Proof of payment paid to contractor in one of the following two forms. You should be totally satisfied with the work before paying.
      i. A lien waiver - a statement issued by the contractor that advises the client that they, the contractor, (a) have been paid in full for the total project cost, (b) are satisfied with the compensation for the work they performed, and (c) waive their right to place any liens on the property for the work completed. (If there are significant material costs, we advise you to obtain a lien waiver from the materials supplier, advising that the contractor paid them in full.) OR
      ii. A cancelled check AND a signed receiptto be submitted if you only paid the matching funds (private match) portion of the contract and the contractor will wait for the final payment. You will need a copy of the actual cancelled check(s), returned to you by the bank you used to pay the contractor. Both the front and back of the check must be copied and must be made payable to the contractor for a minimum of the private match. You will also need a properly executed receipt, signed by an authorized officer of the contracting firm that includes the contractor’s name, address, telephone number, and notation that a minimum of the private match was paid in full. 

Contact Information

For questions or assistance with your application, contact info@victoryneighborhood.org or call 612-293-7020.

Additional Resources

  1. City of Minneapolis Great Streets Program Overview - https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/great-streets/)
  2. Application Instructions & Forms (https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/great-streets/apply/)
  3. Facade Improvement Program FAQ (https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/great-streets/faq/)
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