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Commercial Property Revitalization Program

The Commercial Property Revitalization Program offers up to $30,000 in grant assistance for the renovation of Lakewood storefronts. For more information contact the Department of Planning and Development at (216) 529-HOME (4663) or send an email to dcd@lakewoodoh.gov.

Please review the Rebate Program Guidelines and Façade Guidelines (Signage Grant) below before applying.  Businesses meeting the qualifications outlined in the summary should apply online on our CitizenServe portal.

Note: Assistance is not available for projects where construction is already underway or completed.

Resources for Program Participants

Program Application Portal

Commercial Property Revitalization Program (CPR) Rebate Guidelines

Application Period

Open – subject to availability of funds.

Amount of Financing

Rebates up to 40% of total eligible costs, not to exceed $30,000.

Eligible Use of Proceeds

Exterior building renovations and interior building code improvements. A comprehensive building renovation including the façade, in accordance with the architectural standards and sign ordinance is mandatory to be eligible for the incentives provided by this program. Secondary, exterior improvements include but are not limited to brick re-pointing and cleaning, replacement of bulkhead and tile work, roof repair/replacement, carpentry, masonry, door and window replacement, awning installation and replacement, exterior accessibility improvements designed to use best efforts to meet ADAAG guidelines, parking lot aesthetic site improvements, signage and
sidewalk/streetscape improvements should it be deemed necessary by the City. Interior code improvements shall include electrical, plumbing, and structural repairs/renovations. NOTE: Emphasis is placed on façade improvements (front and sides visible from the street). The total rebate shall be an amount not to exceed the sum of the total exterior improvement expenditures up to 40% of the total project cost not to exceed $30,000.

Eligible Applicant

Any legal entity that is a commercial property owner/landlord or provides a good or service for sale including an owner/user business, limited partnerships, and sub-Chapter S Corporations. In cases where the applicant does not hold title to the property, a written letter of authorization from the property owner must be submitted.

Other Criteria

  • Demonstrated ability to complete project
  • Improvements must be completed within one year of approval
  • All properties taxes must be current
  • Applicant must provide detailed cost estimates
  • Commercial buildings (interior & exterior) must be inspected by the City prior to the rebate being granted
  • Applicant must adhere to City Design/Architectural Review Procedures and comply with Section 106 (federal historic requirements)
  • Applicant must comply with Federal Davis-Bacon Wage Act as applicable
  • Signage only for businesses with designated street level entrances
  • Should residential units exist above commercial building, applicant must comply with applicable Federal Lead Paint Regulations.
  • City may allow sidewalk/streetscape improvements as part of the project should it be necessary

Application and Review Process

    1. Potential applicants are encouraged to meet with the City of Lakewood, Division of Community Development staff early in the development process to determine eligibility for the program.
    2. Once eligibility has been determined, the applicant applies using the City’s online application portal. For major façade improvements, applicants choose Commercial Property Revitalization Program, application subtype “Rebate”.
    3. Projects are subject to federal Section 106 historic review. Non-compliant projects will not be funded.
    4. Approvals from all applicable City boards and commissions including Community Development Loan Approval Board, Architectural Board of Review, Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning Commission (as applicable) are required before proceeding.
    5. Contractors must be registered with the Division of Housing and Building, and all necessary permits pulled.
    6. Participants agree to keep the City informed of all design modifications. Failure to do so may result in rebate assistance being revoked.
    7. Throughout construction, City staff will visit the site to observe that the work conforms to the approved design. The job must conform to all applicable City of Lakewood building codes.
    8. Upon completion of work, participants submit receipts and paid invoices to the City to receive rebate checks. If planning to submit for labor costs, applicants and their contractors must request a Davis-Bacon Prevailing Wage determination before work commences and ensure that all eligible workers receive the appropriate rate by submitting weekly payroll forms.
    9. Rebates are calculated upon the following:
      Architectural Fees:Dollar-for-dollar up to a maximum of $1,600
      Signage:Dollar-for-dollar up to a maximum of $1,500
      (Rebates up to 100% of the cost not to exceed $1,500 will be paid for each street level business entity within a Storefront Project. However, the total signage rebate
      shall not exceed the sum of the total exterior improvement expenditures).
      Exterior Accessibility Improvements:Dollar for dollar up to a maximum of $3,000 for improvements designed to use best efforts to meet ADAAG guidelines.
      Electrical Code Improvements:Dollar for dollar up to a maximum of $5,000.
      Total Project Cost:The City will rebate the greater of 40% of the total project costs or the dollar-for-dollar rebates. However, in all cases, the total project rebate shall not be greater than the sum of the total exterior improvement expenditures, not to exceed $30,000.
    10. The City of Lakewood reserves the right to turn deny or revoke approvals for projects that are incomplete, not completed as approved and/or that fail applicable local, state, and federal regulations.

Commercial Property Revitalization Program (CPR) Façade Improvement Program

Application Period

Open – subject to availability of funds.

Amount of Financing

Rebates up to 50% of total eligible costs, not to exceed a maximum amount of $2,500 per project.

Eligible Use of Proceeds

The Façade Improvement Program provides financial assistance for business owners seeking to make exterior improvements such as signage, lighting, awnings, and landscaping. The program is designed to assist business owners who are trying to improve the appearance of their business without making substantial improvements to the building that would qualify for the Commercial Property Revitalization Rebate Program. Signage, awnings, exterior lighting, landscaping, electrical/mechanical work related to above improvements are eligible.

Eligible Applicant

Any legal entity that is a commercial property owner/landlord or provides a good or service for sale including an owner/user business, limited partnerships, and sub-Chapter S Corporations. In all cases where the applicant does not hold title to the property, a written letter of authorization from the property owner must be submitted.

Other Criteria

  • All work must be done on a street facing side of an existing building.
  • All work must be done on the exterior of the building and result in a publicly visible improvement. Work on the rear or roof of the building is not eligible for a grant.
  • Subject properties must be classified as commercial or mixed-use building.
  • All work must comply with the Façade Improvement Program’s design guidelines.

Application and Review Process

    1. Potential applicants are encouraged to meet with the City of Lakewood’s Division of Community Development staff early in the development process to determine eligibility for the program.
    2. Once eligibility has been determined, the applicant applies using the City’s online application portal. For minor façade improvements, applicants choose Commercial Property Revitalization Program, application subtype “Facade” on the portal.
    3. Projects are subject to federal Section 106 historic review. Non-compliant projects will not be funded.
    4. Approvals from all applicable City boards and commissions including Community Development Loan Approval Board, Architectural Board of Review, Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning Commission (as applicable) are required before proceeding.
    5. Contractors must be registered with the Division of Housing and Building, and all necessary permits pulled.
    6. Participants agree to keep the City informed of all design modifications. Failure to do so may result in rebate assistance being revoked.
    7. Throughout construction, City staff will visit the site to observe that the work conforms to the approved design. The job must conform to all applicable City of Lakewood building codes.
    8. Submit receipts and paid invoices to the City to receive rebate checks. If planning to submit for labor costs, applicants and their contractors must request a Davis Bacon Prevailing Wage determination and ensure that all eligible workers receive the appropriate rate by submitting weekly payroll forms.
    9. Rebates are calculated upon the following:
      1. Rebates up to 50% of total eligible costs, not to exceed a maximum amount of $2,500 per project.
      2. Only exterior façade improvements are eligible and may include signage, landscaping, awnings, lighting, electrical/mechanical work related to eligible repairs and other approved minor façade repairs.