Façade grant program to support revitalization efforts downtown
The City of Lawrence, Lawrence Partnership, and Lawrence Redevelopment Authority are offering matching grant funds for downtown revitalization efforts in the TDI district with its new program Lawrence Local Lift.
The program offers façade improvement awards and design assistance for downtown buildings. The program is designed as a 50/50 match-grant to successful awardees ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. In addition to financial support, grantees will have the option to utilize architectural assistance from CUBE 3 Studio, a local architecture and planning firm, based out of the Riverwalk campus in Lawrence.
Derek Mitchell, Executive Director of the Lawrence Partnership says, “The continued investment in Lawrence’s downtown is having a tangible impact that is shining a bright light on the beautiful architecture in the city, which was the commercial hub for the region for so many years. This new layer of investment will propel that process forward even more quickly, with visible impact.”
Lawrence Local Lift is generously funded by the Essex County Community Foundation and MassDevelopment. The program aims to leverage public dollars to further incentivize private investment and revitalization activity. Lawrence Local Lift can be used to repair building facades, update signage, add lighting features, and any additional elements that help to beautify downtown properties.
Lawrence Redevelopment Authority chair and local business owner, Evan Silverio, says, “The Local Lift program could not have come at a more opportune time in Lawrence’s history. Investments by the private, public and non-profit sectors have been strong, coordinated, and relentless. The spirits of the residents and the business owners are at an all-time high and we must take advantage of all the tools given to us to continue the momentum.”
The Lawrence Redevelopment Authority will be accepting applications from property owners through Friday, August 16, 2019. To learn more about the program and apply, visit lawrencepartnership.com/locallift. Interested applicants are encouraged to reach out to Jess Martinez, Transformative Development Initiative Fellow, at jmartinez@massdevelopment.com or 857-295-9966 for further information.
