Title/Name/Summary
Appearance Improvement Grant (Façade Improvement Program) - Renewal Discussion
History
In 1998, the Village Board approved the first non-residential façade improvement program known as the Old Orland Façade Improvement Program. The Old Orland Façade Improvement Program was primarily intended to address the appearance of historic non-residential buildings in Old Orland along 143rd Street. This was done in anticipation of an eventual widening of 143rd Street, a new planned downtown area, and a new Metra commuter station (143rd Street Station). By 2006, this program was expanded to include all contributing structures in the Old Orland Historic District.
In 2009, the program was revised to include additional buildings along 143rd Street between West Avenue and LaGrange Road to address commercial buildings across from the downtown area. The program was renamed the Commercial Façade Improvement Program and included additional eligible improvements and an explanation of the process.
In late 2012, the Village Board renewed the Façade Improvement Program and allocated $50,000 to it for FY2013. The Board also directed that the program be available Village-wide rather than limited to 143rd Street. The program was renamed the Appearance Improvement Grant (AIG).
In 2014, the program was amended to waive building permit fees for projects approved for grant funds.
In 2018, the maximum grant was increased from $20,000 to $50,000. The Appearance Improvement Grant program was defunded in 2018.
Below is a summary of the previous program. This item is being brought to the Village Board for potential reapproval. If approved, funds will be budgeted for the Appearance Improvement for FY2027. Staff is presenting the previous terms of the AIG and recommending that the program is re-activated as outlined.
The purpose of the grant program is to assist property owners and tenants of commercial buildings improve the exterior appearance of their storefronts and structures. The intent is to improve the overall appearance of sites and buildings. This program will address the whole experience of the commercial appearance from the public right-of-way.
Under the previous program the following building improvements, visible from a public right-of-way or park were eligible:
Awnings
Façade Expansion & Exteriors
Low Water Use Landscaping
New Doors & Windows
New Signage
Screening Rooftop Mechanicals
Storefront Architectural Features
Removal of Inappropriate Materials
Restoration of Historic Doors, Windows and other Architectural Features
The terms of the grant program are described below.
AIG is open to all commercial and landmark building property owners and tenants with the owner’s permission. The program is targeted toward permanent and long-term building improvements and is limited to one (1) grant annually.
Projects must invest a minimum of $1,000 in eligible improvements to apply. A minimum of two bids to complete the work must be submitted to demonstrate project costs. The Village selects the best or lowest bidder.
AIG eligible improvement must be approved by the Village through an Administrative Appearance Review or if the property is a landmark, obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness.
Grants will not fund:
Improvements unrelated to building appearance;
Improvements that do not upgrade the building appearance from the public right-of-way;
Covering masonry, such as with siding or paint;
Increasing non-conforming conditions;
Interior remodeling and restoration;
Improvement completed prior to the grant application;
Improvements requiring variances from any Village code;
Improvements not following Section 6-308 Design Standards;
Previously grant funds could not be used to cover building permit fees. The AIG program was later revised to waive building permit fees approved grant projects. Staff is recommending that this be incorporated into the revised AIG program.
AIG will match 50% of the cost of work up to a maximum of $50,000 per project unless approved by the Board of Trustees. The original AIG program limited the maximum grant amount to $20,000. It was later revised to increase the maximum grant amount to $50,000. This change was made to accommodate more significant building improvements. Staff is recommending that the maximum incentive for the revised AIG program be $50,000.
Grant funds may be used to cover architectural design fees, licensed contractor fees, procurement of materials and construction.
An approved project will enter into an agreement with the Village that outlines the scope of work and a time period for implementation. The agreement outlines the necessary project milestones and submittals required for final payout. The agreements stipulate that the property owners are responsible for maintaining any improvements made with AIG funds for 10 years. Any changes before 10 years must be reviewed and approved by the Village Board of Trustees.
If the AIG funded improvements are not maintained or changes are made without prior consent from the Village Board during the 10-year period, the Village reserves the right to terminate the agreement and the applicant will be liable for any consultant fees and for reimbursing all grant funds to the Village.
Village Staff has prepared an AIG information sheet, application checklist, grant application, waiver of lien, and final payout request documents attached for review.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to recommend to the Village Board of Trustees approval of the Appearance Improvement Grant as indicated in the attached program materials, titled, "Appearance Improvement Grant," prepared by the Development Services Department and dated July, 27, 2026.