Downtown Investment Authority

SIDEWALK ENHANCEMENT GRANT PROGRAM

In an effort to encourage more outdoor dining activity and place making, a Sidewalk Enhancement Grant may be awarded to the Business Owner that is party to the Food and Beverage Retail Enhancement Program (FAB-REP) funding, subject to the following conditions and limitations:

1. Eligibility Requirements
   • Properties must be located within FAB-REP District Boundaries.
   • Additional funds will be available to FAB-REP grant recipients, to reimburse up to 80% of eligible outdoor dining improvement costs, but not to exceed $15,000. A separate budget must be provided. The funds can be used for the cost of creating outdoor spaces that enhance the sidewalk experience, such as tables, chairs, and other furniture, lighting, greenery, umbrellas, and awnings.
   • All Sidewalk Grant recipients must hold a valid Sidewalk Café permit to be eligible for the grant.
   • Application for the Sidewalk Enhancement Grant must include a plan to protect the improvements including all equipment and fixtures for the three-year compliance period, subject to approval by DIA staff.
   • DIA reserves the right to inspect the improvements during the compliance period. In the event operator fails to use the improvements as intended or fail to secure and maintain the improvements in good repair as agreed, including but not limited to loss of or irreparable damage (beyond normal wear and tear), the DIA may declare the recipient in default. The recipient will then have a period of thirty days to cure such default or DIA may withhold amortization of funds awarded under this Sidewalk Enhancement Grant.
   • As an alternative to the REP or FAB-REP, qualifying Business Owners already established or new qualifying Business Owners within the FAB-REP districts, may apply for a Stand-alone Sidewalk Enhancement Forgivable Loan to reimburse up to 80% of eligible outdoor dining improvement costs, but in an amount not to exceed $5,000, without requiring participation by the Property Owner as a co-applicant. Further, administration of any Stand-alone Sidewalk Enhancement Forgivable Loan will be made as a recoverable grant with claw back provisions for a term of three years. Approval shall be based on applicant eligibility, DIA staff approval of the proposed improvements, evidence of a valid lease with a minimum of three years remaining, and documented approval of the improvements by the landlord.
   • Application Requirements and Project Evaluation Criteria of the REP shall not apply to applicants for a Stand-alone Sidewalk Enhancement Forgivable Loan. However, a separate application and budget must be provided, and other requirements as found under the Sidewalk Enhancement Forgivable Loan program, to the extent not contrary to this paragraph, shall apply to the Stand-alone Sidewalk Enhancement Forgivable Loan.
   • In either the Sidewalk Enhancement Grant or the Stand-alone Sidewalk Enhancement Grant, only the Business Owner (Tenant) shall be required to serve as obligor on the forgivable loan agreement, although the principals of the Business Owner may also be required to serve as guarantor for the forgivable loan agreement.