What To Know About Northport's Facade Improvement Program

NORTHPORT, AL — The City of Northport has committed $350,000 to the Northport Redevelopment Authority's Facade Improvement Program, which will provide final assistance for exterior renovations to eligible businesses in the city's busiest corridors.

The Northport City Council heard an update Monday night from Steve Steele, who chairs the authority and went over a draft of the program for the public. Tuscaloosa Patch obtained a copy of the draft and talked to those involved to learn more.

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WATCH: Tuscaloosa Patch caught up with Steele on Monday to hear about the program as the funding will soon be available to those who qualify. Watch my exclusive interview with him here.

Here's what you need to know about the program

Funding: $350,000 has been set aside from the city's Northport First funds, which comes from revenue generated by Northport's 1 cent sales tax.

Areas of focus: Rice Mine Road, McFarland Boulevard, Lurleen B. Wallace Boulevard, Bridge Street and Main Avenue.

Who's eligible? Owners of commercially operated properties or building tenants with lease authority and with written approval from the property owner. The NRDA will utilize a ranking system and all applications will be measured based on the following categories: Project need, impact, budget, feasibility, work plan and consideration as a catalyst project.

Amounts: The Northport Redevelopment Authority says it will provide a base grant of up to $10,000 or a base grant amount of $10,000 plus a match grant dollar-for-dollar for investment on the part of the property owner — up to $10,000. Total funding possible per project is $25,000.

Where to apply: Applications will be available on the City of Northport's website by the end of this week.

Application deadline: Aug. 1, 2021.

Timetable if approved: Projects must begin with 30 days of the property owner entering into the memorandum of understanding with the NRDA and must be completed with 180 days.

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