Case Study
Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program
The Old South Baton Rouge (OSBR) planning process identified key strategic areas to focus on for successful revitalization. One of those areas was economic development.
The demographics of OSBR point to the area’s disinvestment over the past several decades. There are intriguing contrasts in income, education, and business size:
- The median household income level is $15,615
- Almost 30% of the adult population has not completed high school or obtained a GED
- Nearly 26% of the adult population has at least a bachelor’s degree
- There has been roughly a 30% decline in the number of businesses located in OSBR since the 1980’s
- 60% of the current 108 profiled businesses in OSBR have only 1-4 employees
Small businesses serve as engines for growth—providing employment opportunities, generating tax revenues, and serving as anchors for the community. Bringing back the small businesses that once thrived in OSBR while stabilizing and expanding the existing businesses is key to the revitalization of the neighborhood.
Old South Baton Rouge business owners who received grants, from Left to Right: Eric Lewis, Lincoln Il (business incubator); Darian Cain, Hilltop Barbershop; Adrian Mayes, Accounting Solutions; Evonne Thomas, Mable's Flowers; Sadie Roberts-Joseph, Odell S. Williams Now and Then African American History Museum; John Christopher, Paradizyo Building (new business); Marlene Roberson, Marlene's Beauty; Mrs. Woodrow Jones, Highland Terrace Auto; Isaiah Marshall, Lincoln II (business incubator); and finally Marcelle Boudreaux, former project manager with CPEX.
APPROACH
In 2008, to improve the depressed economic status of local businesses and residents in the OSBR community, CPEX and the Old South Baton Rouge Partnership implemented the Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program, a competitive matching-grant program, as an incentive for owners of buildings and businesses to improve facades and daily operational efficiency. The program, currently entering into its fourth round, includes:
- Providing competitive matching grants of up to $5000 to assist with commercial building façade improvements
- Teaming businesses up with the LSU Office of Community Design and Development (OCDD) for design assistance
- Pairing businesses with LSU’s E.J. Ourso College of Business for development of business plans under professor Mark Weaver
A rendering from the LSU OCDD of a façade improvement design for Highland Terrace Auto Repair on Highland Road.
IMPLEMENTATION
Since then, through resources from Neighborworks America, the East Baton Rouge Mortgage Finance Authority, Capitol One Bank, J.P. MorganChase, and Regions Bank, CPEX has completed two rounds of Commercial Façade grants, and is in the process of executing two more. Eligible Façade improvements may include removing old facades structures, landscaping, installing new and replacement awnings, canopies and signs, and performing other improvements in a manner consistent with the applicable regulations, codes and ordinances. Designs must meet the criteria outlined in the Louisiana Speaks Pattern Book published in 2006 and the Old South Baton Rouge Pattern Book. No Façade Improvement Grant may exceed 50% of the project cost.
To apply, download an application or call us at (225) 267-6300 and ask for Marcelle Boudreaux.
Cheap-O-Mart, seen here post-improvements, was awarded a grant in our 2nd round of Commercial Façade Improvement Grants
OUTCOMES
Seven commercial façade projects have are completed, 3 more are in progress, and four are just beginning design work. Here are the awardees:
Round I Grant Awardees
- Marlene”s Hair & Beauty
- Inga”s Subs & Salads
- Ingram”s Fabricated Filters
Round II Grant Awardees
- Cheap-O-Mart
- Odell S. Williams Now and Then Museum of African American History
- Ironstone, LLC.
Round III Grant Awardees
- Highland Terrace Service Station
- Mable’s Flower Shop
- Accounting Solutions & Services
- Lincoln II
- Tin Roof Brewery
Round IV Grant Awardees
- Hilltop Barbershop
- DJ’s Used Cars
- Connections for Life
- Paradizyo Building
- This image illustrates the original Mable’s Flower Shop and the plans for improvements developed by the LSU OCDD
