Grants
The East Capitol District Business Improvement District administers a grant program to help support property and business owners in the BID geography. It focuses on projects that improve property aesthetics, safety and security.
Available Grants...
There are two types of grants available under the program.
Concept Design Grant
This grant will share the cost of developing a conceptual design and cost estimate for improvement of the subject building façade. An approved applicant will receive 100% of the consultant cost for developing the COMPLETED conceptual design and cost estimate up to $1,000.
​
Link to grant form at bottom of page.
Facade/Safety Security Grant
This grant will share in the actual cost of implementing the improvements identified in the conceptual design if applicable and final cost estimate.
​
An approved applicant will receive an amount equal to 50% of the project costs up to $10,000 and the cost related to the Concept Design up to $1,000. The maximum awarded grant amount is $11,000 per project, per tax key and per year.
​
Link to grant form at bottom of page.
What is eligible...
Repair and/or replacement of the original building’s materials and decorative details which are deteriorated or missing of street facing walls.
Tuck pointing and masonry repair of street facing walls.
Repair, replacement or addition of entrances, doors, display windows, transoms or windows of street facing walls.
Permanent exterior lighting.
Repair of non-original materials which cannot be removed due to deterioration of the underlying original building material of street facing walls.
Outdoor seating and/or entertainment equipment.
Installation, repair, replacement and painting of street facing fencing.
Landscaping improvements and planters (may include vacant lots).
For projects focused on improving safety and security, the grant program can be utilized for work both on the interior and exterior of a building/property.
Removal, repair or replacement of existing signs and awnings.
New signs and awnings with proper city of Milwaukee permits included with application.
Exterior painting of street facing walls.
*Grants are not intended for regular monthly charges for security companies or routine maintenance.
​
Only work begun after approval by the BID Grant Committee will be eligible for a grant.
These activities are not eligible for a grant...
Work begun before approval by the BID Grant Committee will be not be eligible for a grant.
Property clean-up projects are not eligible.
Work on a façade not visible from a public street.
Purchase of property.
Interior fixtures and equipment.
Tax delinquent properties are not eligible.
Owners or merchants working on their own properties will not be reimbursed for time while acting as contractor and/or installing materials.
Work done before approval of an Application Agreement for the Façade, Security and Safety Improvement Grant.
Construction of a new building.
Inventory.
Required Materials Needed for Application:
1
A completed BID #25 application form. (See application below)
2
Written consent from the property owner giving permission to conduct the improvement project if the business grant applicant is leasing and does not own the property.
3
Proposal(s) from a licensed and bonded contractor. These proposals should provide detailed information about the work to be done, the costs and the project completion schedule.
4
Owners or merchants who are in a contracting business and intend to perform work on their own properties or businesses must furnish at least one proposal other than their own. Material costs and labor of employees are reimbursable. Documentation must be provided for the number of hours worked on the project by the employees and the rate of pay to those employees must be documented.
Please note these project requirements...
-
Grants are reimbursable, meaning they are only paid after a project is completed.
-
Projects must be completed within 6 months of a BID grant award. Requests for extension will be considered only if made in writing and progress towards completion has been demonstrated.
-
Proof of project completion, including invoices, site visits, safety and security inspection, must be provided.
-
Proof of match, photocopy of checks written, bank statement, etc…, must be provided