D. MottL Realty Group was recently awarded a $2,000 Façade Incentive from the Dowagiac Downtown Development Authority.

Receiving the incentive was Dorothy MottL and Allexia “Ale” Forburger, who renovated the front façade and also the interior of their storefront housing the D. MottL Realty Group’s Dowagiac office.

“The long days of winter offer building owners an opportunity to take a good look at their storefront to decide what maintenance or renovation is needed once spring arrives,” said Vickie Phillipson, DDA and Chamber of Commerce program director. “While many of our downtown buildings have been renovated, some are showing signs of wear and tear from the weather, while others are experiencing crumbling brick that continues to pepper the sidewalks.”

While the renovation of building facades is more than just spring cleaning, thanks to the mayor and council, the Downtown Development Authority continues to offer financial assistance to downtown building owners who renovate their front façades. Monies appropriated by council from the city’s economic development budget to fund the $10,000 Façade Incentive & Architectural Design Services Program in the last three years have also been used to rejuvenate such properties as Dowsett Chiropractic Health Services, Bow Wow Bakery & Bath, Curves, Shabby Bou Chic and Smoke Vision Care.

“When Dowagiac began the redevelopment of its downtown 28 years ago, it put in place several key programs to encourage property and business owners to restore their buildings in a consistent and aesthetically appropriate manner to the existing architectural structure, while at the same time giving them the flexibility to make sure their businesses were configured in a way that best served their needs,” said Mayor Don Lyons. “Among those steps was the hiring of a full-time downtown development director and the creation of the DDA’s Design Review Committee, whose job it was to review proposed storefront remodeling plans and, if the proposed plans were satisfactory, to provide the property owner with seed money to help defray some of the renovation costs.

“During the first 15 years of the redevelopment of our downtown, those incentive monies and architectural guidance played a key role in creating the central business district we have today. In later years, as most of the buildings were remodeled, the importance of the storefront renovation effort became less important and the use of the façade incentive funds dwindled.”

Today’s incentive encourages the continued upgrade of storefronts, as it helps property owners address the wear and tear their buildings have encountered over the last 28 years. Phillipson said the revised program is being administered on a matching funds basis.

Property and business owners are eligible to receive an incentive of up to $2,000 for the front renovation of their building. Owners of twin or double storefronts are eligible to receive up to $3,000.

Previously, the incentive was only $1,000.

Façade applications are available in the DDA office, located inside the Dowagiac train depot.