Downtown Storefront Improvement Program
The City of Mandan launched the program for the downtown core and fringe areas in 2006 to add momentum to the central business district revitalization process by offering matching funds to downtown businesses and commercial properties owners for improvements to the exterior of buildings on street-facing sides.
Commercial property owners and business tenants in the downtown area may apply for matching funds in the form of a forgivable loan for improvements to building facades such as exterior finish, windows, doors, awnings, canopies, and signage, plus landscaping.
Program Overview
- A business must be located in the (Map No.1) Downtown Core or Downtown Fringe OR (Map No. 2) East Main Street boundaries to qualify for the program.
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Eligible businesses may receive up to $30,000 match if the total eligible items exceed $60,000 in investment of rehabilitation of the building façade.
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Large or multi-level downtown corner buildings may be considered for up to $60,000 match if the total eligible items exceed $120,000 in investment of rehabilitation of the building façade, and/or depending upon the extent of the project and the amount of surface wall to be renovated.
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Storefront funds are provided in the form of a forgivable loan.
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The interest-free loans are pro-rated and forgiven over the course of five years contingent on project completion and the building and improvements remaining intact during this period.
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The source of support for the program is the Mandan Growth Fund with applications considered on a first come, first served basis to the extent that funding is available.
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A business will be ineligible for storefront improvement funds if any improvement work has been started before approvals from the Mandan Growth Fund AND Mandan City Commission have been completed.
Qualifying improvements must be to areas visible from the public right of way and may include:
- Design or architectural services for the building’s facade
- Awnings and canopies (signage on awning is discouraged)
- Only acceptable if is considered an appropriate architectural element of the building
- Lighting
- Internally lit or flood lighting
- restoration of historic lighting or installation of new storefront lighting that accentuates building design features or is a stand-alone element of the buildings design
- Paint (only allowed as part of a larger project)
- Removal/replacement of inappropriate or incompatible exterior finishes or materials
- Masonry replacement and repair including but not limited to repointing, tuckpointing, stucco, brick, block, ceramic, and tile
- Ornamentation (corbels, cornices, moldings, etc.)
- Awnings (retractable/roll out and fixed) that mirror window and door openings and marquees
- Painting, caulking and surface preparation of renovated or replaced façade or sealing of stone and brick
- Recessing/reconfiguring entrances
- Entrances must be prominent and accessible with clear pedestrian access from the sidewalk.
- Building entrances every 50 ft along primary facades
- Creation of alley entrances in core downtown area
- Door replacement/repair (including automatic doors when required)
- Window replacement or repair including automatic doors
- Historical fenestration of the building shall be respected with structurally appropriate windows being installed
- 60% of ground floor facades must be transparent elements
- Coverings including graphics, signage or tinting are not considered transparent elements
- Signs (new, repairs, replacements, removal) –Preference for blade sign (projects out from the building)
- Exterior finishing
- Brick
- Landscaping installations to satisfy zoning requirements
- Only when paired with building improvements
Click here (or use the links below) to read the complete program guidelines and get started on the Storefront Improvement Program application.
Questions? Please contact the City of Mandan Business Development Office at 701-667-3485 or by e-mail.