To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: STEPHEN PROUD, WATERFRONT & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022 STOREFRONT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE ARTESIA BOULEVARD AND AVIATION BOULEVARD COMMERCIAL CORRIDORS
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council has identified the revitalization of the Artesia/Aviation Commercial Corridors as a primary goal and adopted several related objectives as part of the City's previous Strategic Plans. One objective was the implementation of a Storefront Improvement Program ("Program"), which was initially launched with $100,000 in funding approved by the City Council as part of the FY2017-2018 Operating Budget. Additional funding was approved by Council in 2018 in the amount of $50,000 and a second round of the Program was opened.
As part of the FY2021-2022 Operating Budget, the Program was re-funded in the amount of $100,000. For the City Council's review and consideration, the Waterfront and Economic Development Department ("WED") is presenting previously approved Program guidelines that set forth the framework and application requirements for participants in the Program. For consideration, staff has also attached a previously submitted Budget Response Report that explored the prospect of expanding the Program to other commercial areas within the City. As currently written, the Guidelines provide grant funding ranging from $2,500 to $15,000 to support improvements/upgrades to storefronts and fa?ades within the defined corridor areas. If the Program is approved, the City will be conducting outreach to the businesses and property owners in the corridors and expects to open the application process on August 16, 2021. The application round will close on November 1, 2021, and the application review will begin immediately thereafter.
BACKGROUND
The City Council has identified the revitalization of the Artesia/Aviation Commercial Corridors as a primary goal and...
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