EL PASO, TX (July 6, 2022) –The Downtown Management District (DMD) Board of Directors approved five Downtown Improvement Grants at the June 23rd Board meeting.
Two Downtown Commercial Façade Improvement Grants were approved, including a property at 920 S. Stanton St., owned by Omega Realty Corp., was approved for $16,640 in grant funds. The estimated total project cost is $33,280. Planned façade improvements include but are not limited to, the replacement of eight exterior apartment windows and the painting of streetside façade. The second Downtown Commercial Façade Improvement Grant was approved for a property at 623 S. El Paso St., owned by the Salas Brothers in the amount $25,000 with a total project cost of $95,370. Planned improvements to include repoint and repair of 50% of red brick, and the installation of new metal awnings.
The Green Hope Project, a local non-profit with a mission to educate the public on ways to take better care of our planet through education, environmentalism, and art, applied for, and was approved for a Downtown Mural Grant for a mural on a property owned by Mills Plaza Properties VI, LP on 215 E. Main Dr. The mural will encompass a surface area on the façade 50 feet high and 48 feet wide and will be created by world-renowned artist, Bordalo II. The artist is known for art that brings awareness to the impact of consumerist behavior on endangered animals. The mural will depict an endangered mountain lion from the El Paso region. The Green Hope Project was approved for the maximum allowable amount of $10,000 with a total project cost of $106,650.
Two Signature Signage and Lighting Project grants were approved with the first being a property at 1006 Texas Ave., owned by 1006 Texas Ave., LLC. The applicant, Brian Chavez, was approved for $17,350 in Commercial Façade Improvement Grant funds. The estimated total project cost is $34,700, with planned improvements on the property to include but are not limited to a new illuminated and double-sided blade sign, a marquee sign, and neon lighting. The second approved Signature Signage and Lighting Project grant was approved for a property at 805 S. El Paso St., owned by George E. Salom Family Limited and applied for by Jesus Alvarado. With an estimated total project cost of $4,871.25, the applicant was approved for $2,250 in grant funds for the planned manufacture and installation of a new vertical double-sided and illuminated blade sign.
The DMD manages four improvement grant programs in total. The Downtown Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program and the Downtown Signature Signage and Lighting programs are funded by the DMD and the City of El Paso/TIRZ No. 5. The DMD’s Downtown Pedestrian Corridor Improvement Grant Program and Downtown Mural Grant Program are funded solely by the DMD. Maximum grants are $10,000 or $25,000 depending on the specific program, and all grants require a match from the applicant.
Grant applications are considered on a first come, first served basis while funding is available. Property/business owners interested in applying for funding can visit DowntownElPaso.com or call Terry Mais, 915-400-2295 for more information.
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About the DMD Grant Programs
The Commercial Façade Improvement Grant provides matching funds to existing businesses and/or property owners to make improvements to the exterior of buildings in the boundaries of the El Paso DMD, and/or the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 5 (TIRZ). The program is managed by the DMD with funding from the DMD and TIRZ. Applications are considered on a first-come, first-serve basis while funding is available. Applicants can apply for up to $25,000 in reimbursement funding.
The Downtown Signature Signage & Lighting Grant Program provides funding to existing businesses and/or property owners within the DMD/TIRZ boundaries for the establishment and/or restoration of signature signage and/or lighting installations. The maximum grant available is $25,000. This grant, when awarded, can provide one grant dollar for every eligible matching dollar invested (1:1 ratio).
The Downtown Pedestrian Corridor Improvement Grant Program provides funding to existing businesses and/or property owners within the DMD boundaries for improvements to the exterior spaces adjacent to or within the public right-of-way. The maximum grant available is $10,000 and each grant dollar must be matched by a private investment dollar (1:1 ratio).
The Downtown Mural Grant Program provides funding to existing business and/or property owners to establish or restore murals within the DMD boundaries. The maximum grant available is $10,000 and each grant dollar must be matched by a private investment dollar (1:1 ratio).
