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Special Business District proposes $20,000 signage grant, plans four kiosks and renovation grants
Summary
The Maplewood Special Business District commission recommended a $20,000 signage grant program (matching grants up to $2,000 per business), budgeting for four downtown kiosks and continued renovation grants for new businesses; city staff said the SPD has its own approval authority and a roughly $265,000 reserve.
At the May 6 work session staff reviewed Special Business District (SBD) proposals, including a $20,000 allocation from SBD reserves for a business signage grant program, fabrication of four downtown kiosks and continued interior/exterior renovation grants for businesses.
Staff said the signage program will operate on a first-come, first-served, matching-grant basis, capped at $2,000 per business and limited to businesses that have been in Maplewood for two years (or three years for businesses relocating from another community). Any unused funds would roll into the following fiscal year.
The commission selected a kiosk vendor and budgeted fabrication for four kiosks; staff said exact kiosk locations are under consideration with options that include the 7100–7200 blocks, near the Metrolink stop and on Big Bend by the Treasure Isles. Each kiosk will include a printed map and a QR code linking to a digital map; staff said regular maintenance will be required.
Staff also described two renovation-grant tracks (minor and major) that help businesses pay for mechanical, plumbing or electrical work and for exterior improvements such as doors, windows and awnings; the grants do not cover maintenance work. Staff said the SBD also subsidizes half the cost for businesses that belong to the Green Dining District.
Staff emphasized that SBD is an autonomous decision-making body for those funds and that the council’s role is to approve the SBD budget but not to direct individual SBD spending. The presenter said the SBD’s reserve balance is projected to be approximately $265,000 after the fiscal year.
