Businesses along Powell River’s Marine Avenue have until September 30 to apply for grants from a new Business Facade Improvement Program (BFIP) offered by City of Powell River and Community Futures Powell River (CFPR).
A $50,000 program has been created through an equal partnership, with the city and CFPR each putting up $25,000.
“The goal is to make significant improvements to our main business corridor even if it's one building at a time and this year we’re just starting with Marine as the first example,” said city senior planner Daniella Fergusson, who updated mayor and council on the BFIP at committee of the whole on August 14.
In other communities, such as Port Alberni where their Community Futures sponsors a similar campaign, businesses that look good also see an increase their sales.
“It's clear that by upgrading the looks of their business it also helps the number of people that come through there,” said CFPR executive director Pam Krompocker. “The other thing is Marine Avenue desperately needs some upgrades; the businesses do. That was the same reason why Port Alberni Community Futures got involved in it, to help with the look of the community.”
There will be eight $2,500 grants for businesses with a single frontage and two grants of $5,000 for businesses on corner lots from Wharf to Alberni streets.
Participants have to match the grants and Community Futures will make loans available for this purpose.
“On the loan program,” said Krompocker, “if they can't afford to pay their share and we approve the loan application, we'll give them a good interest rate and good terms.”
PRCF will also provide architectural services, free of charge.
But a theme for Marine, like the look of Kimberley’s Bavarian City of the Rockies or Revelstoke’s turn-of-the-century motif, has been ruled out, according to Krompocker.
“We're going to be looking at what they want to do,” said Krompocker. “There’s an expression of interest out there now and we'll see what comes in. There's certain things that are just a no.”
Acceptable improvements include outside lighting, awnings, doors, windows, architectural elements, paint, siding, moulding, and trim. The program does not include murals, landscaping and outdoor furniture, interior improvements, or routine maintenance and structural repairs.
“We've heard from 12 people that are interested,” said Fergusson. The program only allows for 10.
“We'll be reviewing those applications for eligibility. We're not judging on its merits at that time,” said Fergusson. “The ones that are eligible will move forward and connect with the architect, who is paid for out of our program fees, to submit the full application in the fall.”
Two representatives from Community Futures and two from the city will select those 10 eligible businesses from the applicants.
Expression of interest applications are now available through the city and PRCF. Construction must be completed by the end of 2019.
