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A <br />ECONOMIC <br />VITALITY <br />MEMORANDUM <br />To: Historic Preservation Commission <br />From: Austin Brown, Economic Vitality Specialist <br />Date: March 21, 2022 <br />RE: Louisville Revitalization Commission's Fagade Improvement Program <br />The Louisville Revitalization Commission (LRC) identified a Fagade Improvement <br />Program as a high priority project in 2021. The goal of the Fagade Improvement <br />Program is to encourage investment in permanent exterior building face improvements <br />for properties located within the Highway 42 Urban Renewal Area (URA). The Program <br />provides an alternative form of financial assistance that eliminates or prevents blight of <br />commercial properties and may also facilitate larger redevelopment opportunities. The <br />2022 LRC budget includes a total of $250,000 to be awarded to eligible Fagade <br />Improvement Program projects. These funds are distributed on a tiered basis so that <br />smaller projects are eligible for a higher percentage of reimbursement. <br />The Program officially launched on March 1 after receiving approval from both City <br />Council and LRC. The LRC will review annual funding for the Program through its <br />budget process. A copy of the LRC's February 9, 2022 meeting materials are included <br />as Attachment #1. Attachment #2 is the Fagade Improvement Program package. <br />The program requires interested businesses and commercial property owners within the <br />URA to submit an electronic application containing the proposed improvements as well <br />as the estimated cost. Applications for improvements to buildings built prior to 1955 will <br />require a review by the Historic Planning Commission (HPC). If the improvements are <br />approved by the HPC, the project can then be advanced to the LRC for approval and <br />proceed through the outlined process. If HPC denies the application, the project will not <br />be advanced for LRC consideration. Attachment #3 includes a flowchart that clarifies <br />this process. <br />Attachment #4 is a program handout developed by staff to facilitate conversations with <br />owners and applicants. <br />Attachments: <br />• Attachment #1: February 9, 2022 LRC Materials <br />• Attachment #2: Fagade Improvement Program Guidelines <br />• Attachment #3: Fagade Improvement Program Workflow <br />11 <br />