Uptown Facade Improvement Program

The Uptown Facade Improvement Program is an initiative led by the City of Marysville, Ohio, aimed at revitalizing the city’s historic Uptown Commercial Zoning District. This program is designed to incentivize high-quality, historically accurate improvements to commercial and mixed-use buildings within a defined geographic target area. The overarching objective is to stimulate private investment, enhance architectural character, and support the City’s Uptown Revitalization Plan and its associated Design Guidelines. The City, through its Planning & Zoning Department, manages the program and evaluates applications in alignment with community and economic development goals. The program provides financial assistance in the form of reimbursement grants, with funding available for up to 50% of total eligible project costs. Notably, grants may be awarded up to $70,000 for projects that are economically significant—defined by their high investment levels, job creation, innovation, or substantial positive community impact. These grants are intended to support permanent, historically aligned improvements, rather than temporary or purely aesthetic upgrades. Importantly, all funds must be matched with private, non-City capital, and the grant amount will only be disbursed upon project completion, cost certification, and compliance verification. Eligible applicants include property owners and tenants of commercial or mixed-use properties located within the Uptown Commercial Zoning District, as defined by the program map. Tenants must secure written consent from property owners to participate. Applicants must be current on all local taxes, utility bills, and code compliance obligations, and buildings must not be exclusively residential or owned by government entities. Projects eligible for funding may include facade restoration or renovation, exterior cleaning, window or door repair/replacement, and fire suppression systems. Business-specific improvements are not eligible unless they are permanent and contribute to the building’s historical integrity. To ensure the alignment of funded improvements with historical and design standards, applicants must apply for and obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness from the City’s Design Review Board (DRB). No work may commence before this approval is granted. The grant agreement stipulates that improvements must be completed within 180 days of project approval. Upon completion, the project will be inspected by City staff prior to reimbursement. The 2026 cycle of the program follows a set schedule. Applications open on February 18, 2026, and must be submitted by April 13, 2026. Successful applicants will be notified of grant awards by April 20, 2026. Projects may then proceed according to the terms of their grant agreements and the Design Review Board’s requirements. All funding is subject to availability, and awards are made based on the merits of the project in terms of economic impact, alignment with historical standards, and community benefit. Program contacts include Ashley Gaver, City Planner, and Brad Lutz, Finance Director/Assistant City Manager, both of whom are reachable via phone or email as listed on the City’s official website. The Planning & Zoning Department, located at 209 S. Main St., Marysville, OH, oversees program administration. Regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Interested applicants are encouraged to consult the program application and packet, as well as to reference the detailed program map outlining eligible properties.