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Downtown Vision, Inc. (DVI), the Downtown Improvement District, created a façade improvement grant program for Laura Street from Monroe Street to Independent Drive to leverage the public investment in the Laura Street Streetscape Improvement Project, stimulate private investment and enhance the pedestrian environment of the corridor. The program is designed to provide an economic incentive for private property and business owners to improve building facades and make their storefronts more attractive, which will help to bring more people Downtown.http://www.downtownjacksonville.org
Downtown Vision allocated $100,000 to provide matching grant funds for the program. The vision of the program is to increase the vitality of Laura Street. Placemaking elements desired include more outdoor cafés, improved signage, increased shade, exterior lighting, landscaping and public art. The grant program is designed as a pilot program to demonstrate that strategic and focused efforts in a concentrated area with a relatively small financial commitment will significantly improve the pedestrian environment.
Façade grant programs are an established best practice from cities throughout the country.
The application deadline for this pilot facade grant program is Tuesday, May 31, 2011.
If successful, the hope is that Laura Street will be transformed into an atmosphere similar to the image above.
Facade Improvement Grant Program Guidelines
A view of Laura Street as it stands today.
Application Procedure & Grant Process
For more information: Downtown Vision: Laura Street Facade Grant
Metro Jacksonville's Take
The Power & Light District in downtown Kansas City
The Laura Street Grant Program appears to be a solid step by DVI to entice existing businesses and building owners to improving the atmosphere along downtown's premier urban street. However, we would also suggest going one step further by aggressively working to alleviate the existing regulations and policies that stymie market rate creativity within the downtown core.
Article by Ennis Davis
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Captain Zissou
March 25, 2011, 09:45:59 AMI hope people take advantage of this program, as it is technically 'free' money. The Landing should definitely jump on this. This could help them to address the streets around the Landing better. Especially if Hogan wins, I imagine one of the first things he will do is sell the Landing the land underneath it and give them their dedicated parking. He owes it to Sleiman after all Sleiman did for his campaign.
I also hope BOA, Modis, and Suntrust buildings will take advantage. They need to address the street, and this could give them a needed boost to do that. Ron Chamblin and Jerry Moran could also use this to spruce up what they have. I hope Magnificat takes advantage, because I think that place looks like crap.
Non-RedNeck Westsider
March 25, 2011, 09:48:56 AMJerry would use his money to install surveillance cameras and high powered water jets so he could sit in his office sipping a nice bordeaux and spraying unsuspecting panhandlers and homeless passer-bys.
wsansewjs
March 25, 2011, 10:07:18 AMThey shouldn't just go "HAY EVERYONE, YES YOU BUSINESS IN LAURA DISTRICT. WE HAS FREEEEE MONEY. JUST FILL OUT THIS FORM AND GO FIND SOMETHING TO MAKE IT PRETTY"
Instead of just throwing money out, they should actually consult with the businesses to SEE what are things they can pay to make Laura Street area pretty AND help the business at same time, therefore it would help the business grow, then they would generate enough revenue to reinvest back into the Laura Street area by adding MORE things like pretty glowing signs, jazz music performer on the street, etc etc.
This is going to fail miserably.
-Josh
Captain Zissou
March 25, 2011, 11:22:41 AM^ Did you read the article Josh??
Building owners, or a majority tenant, must meet with DVI and a design consultant multiple times before they are given approval. The types of the things that the grants will cover are fairly specific as well. I thought they were almost too strict. I think the regulations may prevent people from utilizing the free money. I hope multiple business take advantage of what is being offered.
finehoe
March 25, 2011, 11:25:45 AMFour words: Too little, too late.
wsansewjs
March 25, 2011, 11:27:38 AMYou have caught me. I did skim through the article. You actually got the point I was trying to get across is that the regulations on the grant is so strict and narrow. I was trying to being comical.
Credits goes to you and shame on me. +1
Also, why you deleted my photo, Lunican?
-Josh
PeeJayEss
March 25, 2011, 01:41:57 PMIts also not exactly free money. You can get up to $1500 for free. Everything over that (up to max of $20,000) is matching funds. So you have to put up $20,000 to get $20,000 (or perhaps $18,500 to get $20,000, since the first $1500 is free, but nonetheless private money needs to be invested as well). Still a great deal for anyone that utilizes it, if you ask me. Actually, I think its a great deal to improve your business by investing in letter people know there is a business there, even without the matching grant money.
urbaknight
March 25, 2011, 02:16:10 PMMagnificat should really do something with that ugly signboard on the roof, even if it's just some kind of pretty mural. Just trim that tree bach a little bit and you'll be able to see it fine.
fsujax
March 25, 2011, 02:19:48 PMI wonder if would be against the sign ordinance to rehab that old sign on top of the Magnificat, I think it would be cool all lit up at night.
PeeJayEss
March 25, 2011, 02:30:53 PMit would be shway if that place had the traffic to stay open on weekends and more than a couple hours on weekdays. I'd like to go there.
johnnyroadglide
March 25, 2011, 02:57:44 PMfsujax
March 25, 2011, 03:12:15 PMsings projected onto buildings needs to be done away with.
futurejax
March 25, 2011, 03:15:25 PMGreat Initiative. This is the kind of creative planning that goes a long way towards a brighter, vibrant dt.
JeffreyS
March 25, 2011, 03:16:24 PMI like when the glass Buildings like BOA have the Jumbo tron style displays shining though the glass. That could attract attention to the General store, Dry Cleaners, Coffee shop and restaurants inside. Same for the building formerly known as Modis. Create some life and movement on the street.
hillary supporter
March 25, 2011, 03:47:38 PMkrazeeboi
March 25, 2011, 10:45:31 PMDoes Laura Street have a lot of buildings with faux facades?
thelakelander
March 25, 2011, 11:03:31 PMNot really. The majority of the structures are either historic buildings or modern office towers. The office towers have retail spaces that aren't well integrated with the street and a few of the historic structures are vacant. Better signage, transparent windows at street level, outdoor dining and lighting would be a huge change in scenery along Laura Street.
urbanlibertarian
March 29, 2011, 09:52:28 AMFrom the Financial News and Daily Record:
Whole article here: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/downtowntoday.php?dt_date=2011-03-28
fsujax
March 29, 2011, 10:06:20 AMI sure as heck hope Chamblin doesnt install those horrible roll down doors. Unless they are hidden, somehow.
JoeMerchant
March 29, 2011, 10:14:28 AMWell, since they are using only one design consultant, a landscape architect, on this project for anyone wanting the grant money, let's hope he has a great vision because his is the only one we will be seeing.