Downtown Medford

Historic District Facade Grant Program

The Facade Grant Program was created in 2000 with the objective of renewing the viability of downtown through the renovation of historic buildings leading to the recruitment of new business to downtown. The program assists property and business owners by granting funding for the rehabilitation of downtown building facades and storefronts including: windows, doors, brickwork, stucco, painting, awnings, signage and removal of non-historical materials or additions. Matching public funds in the amount of $37,500 ($5,000 to lessees and tenants) are available to building owners on a dollar for dollar basis. Additionally, each applicant receives 15 hours of free historic design assistance. Sixty-four applications have been submitted for this program and fourty-eight projects have been completed. The total M.U.R.A. contribution of $664,047 has leveraged over $4,786,097 of private money invested into Downtown Medford.

The Facade Grant Program's objective is to renew the viability of the Downtown through renovation of historic buildings, leading to recruitment of new business to the Downtown. The Facade Grant Program assists property and Businesses through grants for rehabilitation of buildings within the Downtown Historic District. Matching public funds up to $37,500 are available on a dollar for dollar basis. Each grant application receives free historic design assistance.

In 2004, the Facade Grant Program won the National League of Cities James C. Howland Gold Awad for Municipal Enrichment, the highest award given by the National League of Cities.