The Commercial Façade Program is designed to encourage property owners and business tenants to improve the overall exterior appearance of commercial buildings along major thoroughfares within the City of Compton—transforming them into vibrant, exciting business districts.
Goals and Objectives:
- To improve the overall viability of commercial and industrial properties.
- To assist commercial and industrial property owners and tenants with the rehabilitation and
- Maintenance of the exterior of their properties.
- To be an active force in revitalizing blighted commercial corridor districts.
- To enhance the commercial identity of properties through improved signage.
Eligible Activities:
Repair or replacement of existing deteriorated exterior fixtures or structure components including:
- Stucco treatment
- Wood framing or other basic exterior wall materials
- Painting
- Decorative masonry walls
- Installation of new doors and windows
- Correction of code violations that affect the exterior of the building and are visible from the street.
- Exterior lighting
- Landscaping (based on funding source)
- Signage (both removal and installation)
- Façade rehabilitation funded by City grant must be visible from the public right-of-way.
Façade Grants Types:
The following terms and conditions apply to grants under the program:
Grants can only be used to pay for the costs of labor, materials, and services necessary to carry out the rehabilitation work for which the grant is approved.
The grant provides assistance in an amount not to exceed 75 percent of the cost of improvements, (maximum grant amount of $37,500). Buildings over 150 linear feet of street frontage will be offered a grant not to exceed $75,000.
The participant’s 25 percent match (excluding signage) must be committed or encumbered prior to the Façade construction. The City may require evidence of the committed funds.
A California State Licensed Contractor, assigned by the City, will perform all work.
After the work is completed, applicants are to display a sign (provided by the City) indicating participation in the City’s Commercial Façade Program.
Buildings are eligible for grant funding only one time within any 7 year period.
Signage Grants
To help promote consistent signage along commercial corridors, the City will provide a grant of up to $9,000 for commercial signs.
Grant funding under this program component is for Design, Fabrication, and Installation of permanent exterior building or site signs, visible from the street.
Temporary, seasonal, and promotional signs and banners do not qualify for assistance.
Commercial Façade Program recipients are required to submit verification of improvements, receipts, lien waivers, permits, and other applicable documents.
Applicant:
Must submit an application and any required supplemental documents.
Leaseholders must provide written permission from the owner before submitting application for assistance.
Business owners must possess a valid City of Compton business license with all fees and taxes paid current.
Property:
Property owner must be recorded owner of subject property and provide verification documents.
Property must be located in the designated target area, and zoned and used for commercial purposes.
Property must be inspected by a City designated inspector prior to Program acceptance.
Signage:
Signage, paint/stucco colors and other improvements shall comply with applicable building and zoning codes and ordinance.
