The City of Jacksonville Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) closed on its first Storefront Façade Grant agreement to recipient Hatfield & Hatfield, P.A., a local law firm doing business in Downtown since 2016. Grant funds, totaling $7,370, will be used to help preserve the building’s exterior quality and enhance the aesthetics of the building. Improvements include replacing street-facing windows to provide better protection from the elements, removing aging window frames and glazing, and adding protective film to the entrance doors so that they will better match the new-and-improved windows and provide additional security.
“We at the law firm of Hatfield & Hatfield, P.A. are grateful and honored to be approved to receive matching funds from the Storefront Facade Grant Program to allow us to make upgrades to the facade of our nearly one hundred-year-old building”, expressed Kate Hatfield, Esq. “We would like to thank the City of Jacksonville and the Downtown Investment Authority for their commitment to partnering with small businesses like ours to improve the overall Downtown experience. We would also like to encourage our Downtown neighbors to take advantage of this opportunity to make improvements to their properties that will benefit the safety, aesthetics, and enjoyment of all those who live and work Downtown.”
The DIA Storefront Façade Grant Program launched in 2020 and offers a valuable opportunity for Downtown property owners. The restoration, rehabilitation and revitalization of first-floor storefront facades – while sometimes seemingly minor changes – have a big impact on Downtown at large. New paint, awnings and windows can transform a tired, drab storefront into an inviting business that attracts visitors and offers a pleasant pedestrian experience. Furthermore, façade grants increase the utilization of existing buildings, enhance economic vitality, attract new tenants, strengthen the overall image of Downtown and foster community pride – because when Downtown looks and feels its best, we all reap the rewards.
To learn more about the DIA’s Storefront Façade Grant Program and find out if your property is eligible, visit:
http://dia.coj.net/Facade-Grant-Program.
About the Downtown Investment Authority: The Downtown Investment Authority was established by the City of Jacksonville to revitalize Jacksonville’s urban core by utilizing Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) resources and is guided by a nine-member board of directors. The DIA seeks to attract investment, facilitate job creation and increase residential density through capital investments, planning, marketing and public-private partnerships including the provision of incentives for the general community and Downtown stakeholders. For more information, visit https://dia.coj.net/ and https://investdtjax.com/.