Jack Kessler and Massie Weathers
2 months ago
AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — The City of Amarillo announced that commercial property owners and business owners in Amarillo's Barrio, East Ridge, North Heights and San Jacinto neighborhoods will now be able to take advantage of the Business Improvement Grant Program to improve the appearance of their properties.
The BIG program offers grants worth up to 50 percent of the total cost of exterior renovation projects, with up to $20,000 for projects over $40,000, according to city of Amarillo staff. Staff noted that projects must involve the exterior of a commercial property or business.
“The BIG program represents a fantastic opportunity for owners to significantly increase their property values.
“We're going to do our best to protect their business and property rights,” said Drew Brasfield, COA's assistant director of planning.
“Exterior improvements include new paint and doors.
“Historic Preservation”
Brasfield added that the program will remove barriers for business owners.
“Adding lighting to your sign increases the visibility of your sign, for example, if you're in a location like Southwest 6th Street, where there's a lot of businesses packed together and you want your business to stand out. So this is an opportunity for us to help business owners break down barriers, whether it's visibility or accessibility. Sometimes their buildings are older and not ADA compliant, and this program helps remove those barriers. It's pretty much anything on the exterior, the pedestrian side of the business. It's everything from new signage. It doesn't have to be a sign on the building, it can be a monumental sign, a freestanding pole sign, awnings, doors, windows, anything,” Brasfield said.
Brasfield said with this program he hopes to capitalize on the momentum of other efforts happening in the city.
“We have the 100th anniversary of Route 66 coming up in 2026, we have the streetscape improvement project on Southeast 10th Avenue, there are other activities we would like to utilize and take advantage of this program,” Brasfield said.
Barrio Neighborhood Planning Commission Chairwoman Teresa Kennedy said each district was awarded $60,000, with $40,000 remaining for the Barrio district.
“We really want to encourage people to apply for this grant in the Barrio District. We still have $40,000 left, we only need $5 or $10 of that, so we want people to know about this grant and apply for it. We want this grant to continue because it gives us an opportunity to make a difference to our businesses as they get renovated on 10th Street, but it doesn't have to just be on 10th Street. Any business in the entire Barrio District, from Southeast 2nd Street to Southeast 29th Street, from Garfield to Ross Osage, can apply for this grant,” Kennedy said.
The City of Amarillo's new online bidding process goes into effect June 3
COA officials said the BIG program provides technical and conceptual design guidance and financial assistance to improve the appearance of commercial properties and business establishments. Officials noted that the restoration of significant architectural features is also a major component of the grant process.
The BIG program launched in January, according to City Federal Credit Union.
Quintin Marquez, community development manager for City Federal Credit Union, said the loan was created to help businesses with the first half of their renovation projects.
According to City FCU, if you've been in business for three years or more, you can apply for a five-year loan of up to $20,000, and if you've been in business for one year or more, you can apply for a two-year loan of up to $10,000.
Kennedy added that anyone wanting to obtain an application can do so by visiting Brasfield or Marquez.
“Any of these businesses can apply for this grant, we'll walk them through the application process and help them fill out the application. They have to take before and after photos, and they have to provide receipts for the work they've done in order to receive the grant funds,” Kennedy said.
For more information about the BIG program and application procedures, visit the City of Amarillo website.
For the latest Amarillo news and local updates, check out MyHighPlains.com and tune into KAMR Local 4 News at 5, 6 and 10 PM CST and Fox 14 News at 9 PM CST.