Grants & Assistance

Application Process

1. Prospective applicant submits an application package which consists of an introductory letter providing an overview of the project, DDD Program Application, and supplementary documents. Documents may be submitted via US mail or email. 
2. The DDD will schedule a meeting with the applicant to review the program and discuss the improvement plans. The applicant is required, per program guidelines, to meet with the Historic Districts Landmarks Commission (HDLC) to review and/or approve the scope of the project, including necessary work with an architect or engineer.  
3. The DDD will provide a letter of Grant Commitment, subject to completion of the project according to city building permits, HDLC Certificate of appropriateness, compliance with DDD program requirements, and all other required approvals. The Grant Commitment letter serves as a notice to proceed on the façade improvement program.  
4. The DDD does not accept as a part of the project costs any renovation expenditures made before the date of the grant commitment letter. Construction must commence within 45 days of DDD Commitment and be completed within 120 days after construction start date (subject to weather and other unavoidable events).  
5. Once construction has been completed and all necessary final City and HDLC approvals are obtained and documentation (copies of cancelled checks) showing the applicant’s share of cost has been provided, the DDD will process a check for payment of the approved grant amount payable to the applicant.