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Staff outlines facade and corridor enhancement grant ideas, council asks for draft policy
Summary
City staff reviewed models for a facade/corridor enhancement grant program, noting possible funding from general fund, 4B or TIF, reimbursement structures, and matching percentages used by peer cities; council directed staff to draft policy and application language for future review.
Alex Phillips, the city's economic development director, presented a survey of facade and corridor enhancement programs used by other cities (examples included Sugar Land and Irving) and described funding options and program structures: reimbursement-based grants, funding from the general fund or sales-tax (4B) corporations, and TIF-based approaches.
Phillips noted programs in peer cities capped grants differently (examples ranged from $5,000 up to $400,000 per project in other jurisdictions) and explained that Burleson is not presently eligible for Community Development Block Grants because required county surveys are not on file. He offered options for a corridor enhancement grant funded through general fund or 4B sales tax revenue, an expanded BTX home-improvement rebate program, or a TIF-funded targeted corridor program.
Council members supported creating a policy but asked staff to return with a draft policy and program guidelines. One council member suggested phasing the program into the city's broader master-plan and incentive discussions.
Staff said they will work with Development Services and the relevant committees to bring back a draft policy, eligibility parameters and estimated annual budget for committee consideration.
