The Mini-Grant Façade Program is an incentive program designed to assist business and property owners in renovating downtown buildings.

This grant is made available through Gastonia Downtown Development Corporation, and is funded completely by the Municipal Service District self-assessed tax voted in
by the local Downtown community.

Click here for printable application

GUIDELINES

Structural alterations to the building front must be minimal.

Distinguishing original features may not be destroyed. Removal or alteration of any historic material or distinctive features must be avoided if at all possible.

All buildings, structures, and sites shall be recognized as products of their own time. Alterations that have no historical basis and which seek to create an earlier appearance shall be discouraged. Alterations that seek to create an appearance unrelated to the actual historic age of the building (such as imitation colonial trim) should not be attempted.

Changes which have already been made to the building and which have historic value in their own right usually should be retained.

Examples of skilled craftsmanship in the construction of the building must be treated sensitively.

Deteriorated architectural features must be repaired rather than replaced whenever possible. Necessary replacements should match the original in composition, design, color and texture. In the case of replacing elements removed in the past, every effort must be made to find physical or pictorial evidence of what the original feature was like.

The repointing of mortar joints (tuck-pointing) will not increase the width of the mortar joint. In order to preserve the visual and physical integrity of the building mechanical grinding or sawing out of mortar joints is not permitted. Only the hand raking of joints is permitted. The mortar mix must match the existing in composition, color, tooling and width of joint. Improperly done, repointing not only detracts from the appearance of the building, but may also cause physical damage to the masonry units themselves.

The sealing or waterproofing of masonry is prohibited under the Gastonia Downtown Development Corporation Mini-Grant Façade Program. Water penetration to the interior usually is not caused by porous masonry but by deteriorated gutters and downspouts, failed flashing, deteriorated mortar, capillary moisture from the ground, or condensation. Coating will not solve these problems but retain more dirt and cause greater deterioration.

Surface cleaning must be by the gentlest means available. Any damaging methods, such as sandblasting (NO SANDBLASTING PERMITTED) or other abrasive methods, such as acid wash, will not be allowed. High-pressure water washing is not allowed. Low-pressure washing is highly recommended between 200-400 p.s.i. with fan tip (45o) held 2-3 feet from masonry wall surface. Any cleaner used will be a non-ionic detergent mix that is brushed on the wall surface then washed off to minimize penetration into the masonry.

Every reasonable effort shall be made to protect and preserve archaeological resources affected by, or adjacent to any project.

Contemporary design for alterations and additions to existing properties shall not be discouraged when such alterations and additions do not destroy significant historical, architectural or cultural material, and such design is compatible with the size, scale, color, material, and character of the property, neighborhood or environment. Aluminum framed door replacements are not funded with this grant.

Wherever possible, new additions or alterations to structures shall be done in such a manner that if such additions or alterations were to be removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the structure would be unimpaired.

The applicant must discuss the proposed project with the Gastonia Downtown Development Corporation Executive Director or with a designated architectural consultant before submitting the application for funds. The contractor(s) must discuss the proposed project work with the Gastonia Downtown Development Corporation Executive Director prior to commencing work.

The grant will equal one-half the project cost up to a maximum of $1,500.00 per business for façade improvements and a maximum of $500.00 for signage. Signs that change the name of an existing business are not eligible. A single business occupying more than one storefront is eligible to apply for one grant only. A non-profit agency does not contribute to the MSD. In consideration for the intention of this program to improve appearance, a grant of up to $500 for the façade and $250 for signage may be made to a non-profit agency. Government owned buildings are not eligible. Applications requesting funding for work done prior to the grant cycle will not be considered.

Any sign must be in scale with the building to which it will be attached and must be professionally designed, executed and installed. Please remember that all signs must conform to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Gastonia and any guidelines established by Gastonia Downtown Development Corporation. The use of formed plastic internally lit signs shall be discouraged-not funded. Contact Drew Pearson, City of Gastonia at 704.866.6746 for assistance with City requirements.

All City or County permit requirements are the sole responsibility of the applicant.

The contractor must clean all debris, rubble, trash, etc. from the site daily. This professional courtesy will minimize any inconvenience to the property owner and adjacent businesses and property owners as well as visitors to the Downtown area.

Once a grant amount has been determined, the applicant will receive written notification of approval to proceed. Any work commenced prior to written approval is not eligible for funding. As soon as the work is complete, the applicant must submit a copy of the paid actual final bill(s) for the work with copies of canceled checks, copies of all necessary permits, and any other additional documentation deemed necessary to verify completion of work and compliance with grant guidelines and the grant will be paid at that time. Allow two-three weeks for on-site inspection and processing. Projects must be completed as they were approved unless any changes to plans are presented to and approved by Gastonia Downtown Development Corporation. UNAPPROVED CHANGES TO DESIGN PLANS, DEVIATION FROM GUIDELINES OR APPROVED WORK, OR SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS WILL RESULT IN CANCELLATION OF THE GRANT AND A WITHDRAWAL OF GASTONIA DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION SUPPORT.

FAILURE TO PERFORM THE REHABILITATION WITHIN 90 DAYS OF NOTIFICATION OF APPROVAL TO PROCEED WILL RESULT IN THE CANCELLATION OF THE GRANT (GIVEN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, EXTENSIONS MAY BE GRANTED ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS. EXTENSION REQUESTS ARE APPROVED OR DENIED AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE GASTONIA DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND PROVIDED IN CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND THE APPLICANT'S CONTROL.) FAILURE TO BEGIN WORK DURING THE NINTY 90 DAYS WILL RESULT IN FORFITURE OF GRANT FUNDING, NO EXTENSION WILL BE CONSIDERED.

Grant money will be awarded to the projects with the most visibility. Projects that will result in improvements to surrounding properties will be given higher consideration. The applications will be reviewed in the order, which they are received. Grants will be awarded to the projects which most closely follow Gastonia Downtown Development Corporation Design Guidelines and "A How-to Guide for Downtown Building Rehab, Rescue & Repair" by Lauren Malinoff, NC Main Street Center recommendations and which will have the highest visibility and greatest impact on the appearance of the Downtown district as determined by the Gastonia Downtown Development Corporation Design Committee Review.

If you have questions regarding the Mini-Grant Façade Program or design assistance, contact Brian J. Borne, Executive Director, Gastonia Downtown Development Corporation at 704.865.5044.