Fairview agency adopts revised tenant-improvement grant program, removes development grant language

The Fairview Urban Renewal Agency adopted Resolution 3-2025 on Oct. 15, 2025, approving new guidelines for a Tenant Improvement Grant Program that will provide matching grants of up to $50,000 toward tenant-specific storefront improvements in the city’s commercial mixed-use areas.

Staff said the new rules narrow eligible uses to tenant-specific construction, remove basic plumbing and electrical work from eligibility, expand recipients to include local chains of up to 10 locations and nonprofit organizations, and limit the program area to the Halsey Corridor, Fairview Village and Sandy Boulevard. Applications will require a match from the property or business owner and be processed through an updated online application and streamlined program materials, staff said.

The board’s action also intentionally removed language in the resolution that would have continued the previous combined “development grant” program. Board members and staff said they split the prior program into two separate efforts: the TI Grant Program just adopted, and a proposed Development Readiness Grant Program that would assist in removing barriers to redevelopment (for example, structured demolition, environmental assessment, technical consulting, mitigation of environmental or infrastructure constraints and, in limited cases, construction assistance). The agency voted to adopt the TI program while striking references to the development-grant language; staff were directed to return with draft guidelines for the separate development program for further board direction by December if additional work is needed.

Public comment included remarks from Eric Squires, a principal broker at All Professionals Real Estate, who said the refinements “are moving in an excellent direction” but asked why the maximum award was reduced from the prior $100,000 level to $50,000. Squires said the grant amount can be a deciding factor for landlords considering leasing large vacant spaces and urged the agency to consider the program’s competitiveness regionally.

Councilors and board members acknowledged the trade-off between a lower maximum award and preserving grant funding for a greater number of applicants. Several members cited outreach and continued interest from local landlords and small-business prospects. Staff noted that there is just under $200,000 remaining in the grant budget for this fiscal year and that the agency will reassess funding in the next budget cycle.

The resolution passed by voice vote after the agency’s mover proposed adopting Resolution 3-2025 with deletion of any development-grant references; the board chair called for the ayes and the motion carried.

Staff follow-up: agency staff will post the updated TI program materials and application form, begin accepting TI applications under the new guidelines effective Oct. 20, 2025, and return with a proposed development grant guideline or a work session recommendation if additional board direction is requested.