Tucson Offering $500K In Grants To Spruce Up Local Storefronts

TUCSON, AZ — Tucson is funding a major upgrade to a historic commercial corridor, and local property owners have until late summer to apply for grants under the city’s new Thrive Storefront Renovation Project.

The Housing and Community Development Department is now accepting applications for grants of up to $500,000 in direct construction funding for exterior improvements along key commercial streets in the Thrive in the 05 neighborhood.

Applications open June 1 and are due by Aug. 21 at 4 p.m.

Up to three properties could receive funding through the program, which is designed to help storefronts look sharper, draw more customers and strengthen the economic backbone of the corridors that run through one of Tucson's most actively revitalized neighborhoods.

Thrive in the 05 sits roughly a mile north of downtown, bounded by Interstate 10, Speedway Boulevard, Stone Avenue and Miracle Mile. The city has been investing heavily in the area since landing a $50 million federal Choice Neighborhoods grant from HUD in 2023.

Historic Miracle Mile Properties Have Their Own Opportunity

Owners of eligible properties in the Historic Miracle Mile District can also apply for a separate pot of preservation funding.

Grants of up to $10,000 per property are available, with as many as five awards totaling $50,000. That money is specifically for historically appropriate exterior improvements, and the application deadline comes a couple weeks earlier: Aug. 9 at 4 p.m.

Property owners can apply for both programs at the same time, officials said.

Not Sure If You Qualify? There's an Info Session for That

The city is hosting a virtual pre-proposal conference on June 25 from 4 to 5 p.m. on Zoom, giving prospective applicants a chance to ask questions, float ideas and get early feedback before submitting.

Applications can be submitted online in English or Spanish through the city's portal, or dropped off in person at the Housing and Community Development Department at 310 N Commerce Park Loop.

Questions can also be directed to program contact Denisse Ortega-Loroña at that same office, officials said.