A new effort to beautify storefronts will help local businesses throughout Pittsburgh, Mayor Corey O’Connor announced Tuesday.
The mayor unveiled a $500,000 investment from Pittsburgh Urban Initiatives — an arm of the Urban Redevelopment Authority — to improve building facades.
The program is part of O’Connor’s Main & Main initiative to rebuild neighborhood business districts.
When O’Connor launched the program in January, he said the city would deploy various tools — including small business loans, facade improvements, better lighting, housing incentives and zoning reforms — to help business districts thrive.
The Commercial Facade Grant Program will be managed by the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
A round of applications will open in mid-April, funding facade renovations of up to $20,000 — with a 25% match from the business owner — for up to 25 local businesses.
“Facade renovations can be transformational for main streets and enhance both curb appeal and pride for our small businesses,” URA Executive Director Susheela Nemani-Stanger said.
O’Connor campaigned on a vision of growth for the city, including a focus on attracting more businesses.
He already has laid out plans to make the city’s permitting process more efficient as part of that effort.
“Main & Main is about identifying what our neighborhoods and business districts need and finding ways to meet those needs through partnerships, investments and support,” O’Connor said in a news release. “Our small businesses are looking for support to update and maintain their storefronts to attract customers and improve how their main street looks.”
