Facade Matching Grant & Building Rehab Loan Program

Current Projects Underway:

FREE Facade Renderings 

Main Street Medina contracts with Cindy Allman to provide renderings to District business and property owners of recommendations on color, style, architectural features, signage, etc. Here are some that were completed ...

Mark's Cleaning Service, 325 Elmwood Ave.

325 South Elmwood rendering

400 South Court Street rendering

400 South Court Street

Program Overview & Objectives

Main Street Medina (MSM) has secured a state grant of $150,000 for property and business owners to make qualified property improvements over the next two years within the twelve-block footprint of the Historic and South Town Districts (projects must be completed before June 30, 2026).

The two programs outlined below will help fund private, commercial, exterior facade and building rehab projects focused on beautification and historic preservation.

Such updates are intended to:

• improve property and business values,
• improve overall design aesthetics,
• support code enforcement and ensure long-term structural integrity of buildings,
• complement public improvements that have or will be made in the downtown core,
• support MSM’s strategic goals of advancing business vitality, historic preservation, and community spirit.

Funds from the state grant will be allocated as follows:

• Matching Grant Program ($50,000) – will reimburse the applicant 50% of the cost of eligible facade improvements, up to $5,000 per project, for materials and/or labor, to purchase and install elements like paint, windows, signage, awnings, lighting, building materials, etc. This program will target 5+ projects per year over the next two years.

• Low-Interest, Revolving Loan Program ($100,000) – will provide up to $25,000 in loan funds, at 2% below the prime interest rate, through the Economic & Community Development Institute (ECDI), to improve facades, create or makeover entrances, resolve structural deficiencies, etc. This program will target 2-4 projects per year over the next two years. (NOTE: in addition to securing a loan from ECDI from this grant, property and business owners could take on bigger projects by stacking additional loans through 1) ECDI, 2) other banks/lending institutions, and 3) County programs.)

The window to submit a completed Application Form to MSM is now through February 28, 2025. The MSM Design Committee will score and rank applications against the Selection Criteria outlined in this deck and notify applicants of a decision by March 31, 2025.

Applicants can apply for one or both programs and may submit applications for multiple properties/businesses. If multiple applications are submitted, the applicant will be requested to prioritize those applications.

Eligibility

In general, eligibility for either program will be limited to:

• property and business owners within the twelve-block footprint of the Historic and South Town Districts (a map is included in the Appendix of the application)
• private, commercial buildings, including those with office and/or residential space(s);
• projects that can be completed within one year of award and/or prior to June 30, 2026.

Eligible Projects
The following projects and improvements are eligible for reimbursement by the program:

• creation of new storefront entrances;
• creation of new side or rear entrances from parking lots;
• restoration or makeover of existing entrances;
• creation of, or enhancement of, outdoor parking and gathering areas;
• replacement/repair of doors and windows;
• painting, cleaning, and tuck point repairs;
• new signage and permanent window/door graphics, canopies, awnings, and exterior building lighting in compliance with all necessary approvals;
• repair and replacement of gutters, downspouts, cornices, and other decorative and functional elements of the building;
• new or updated exterior hardscaping (items like walkways, patios, retaining walls, fencing) and permanent landscaping (namely trees and bushes);
• repairs and improvements to address structural deficiencies

Ineligible Projects
The following projects and improvements are NOT eligible for reimbursement by the program:

• improvements to residential single-family or multi-family homes;
• improvements to or within the public right-of-way and street furniture;
• temporary improvements, including flower pots, trash receptacles, etc.;
• roofing and other standard maintenance items (unless directly related to the facade);
• out-of-pocket expenses (i.e. project ‘soft costs’ for design, permit, and other administrative fees);
• costs for owner- or volunteer-completed work (all repairs and improvements made under this program must be completed by registered, professional, licensed, and insured contractors);
• projects completed before January 15, 2025

If funds are not fully utilized by mid-2025, eligibility requirements may be modified and additional application windows may be scheduled.

Requirements

General
All work must be completed in accordance with all government laws, ordinances, codes, rules, and regulations. 

Permits
Exterior projects are subject to ALL rules and regulations governed by The City of Medina Building Department. (Applications, Permits, and Notices can be found at the following website: https://medinaoh.org/city-hall/building/applications-permits-notices)

Contractors
All contractors are required to register prior to working within the city limits. A list of all registered contractors is available at this website: https://medinaoh.org/includes/uploads/Registered_Contractor_List_2024.pdf

Planning and Zoning / Certificate of Appropriateness
Different City Planning and Zoning regulations will apply to different properties, and a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) may or may not be required, depending on location. A summary of COA applicability is outlined below. Please contact the Planning and Zoning office at 330-722-9038 for assistance with your application(s). Additional information is also available at https://medinaoh.org/.

A map highlighting the Historic District and Landmarks and the Transitional Corridor Overlay District (TC-OV) is available at the following link: https://medinaoh.org/includes/uploads/Planning_docs/Planning_Documents/TCOV-Hist_Dist_Map_2-8-23.pdf

Unless the project is an exact, like-for-like repair or replacement, properties eligible for this grant and loan program, located on the map as described below, may require a COA prior to starting any work that results in an exterior change, addition, or alteration of a structure or site,:

• Historic Preservation Board COA - nine block Square area and the Farmer’s Exchange (red on the map)
• Transitional Corridor Overlay District (TC-OV) COA - certain areas of South Town (blue on the map)
• No Historic District COA or TC-OV COA - certain areas of South Town (no color on the map)

A COA may be requested by a property or business owner. COA’s are submitted to the City of Medina Community Development Director, and are reviewed by the City of Medina Historic Preservation Board (HPB). The Board typically meets the second Thursday of each month, and all applications are due for review at least three weeks prior to the meeting.

HPB and other Planning Commission Applications are found at this link: https://medinaoh.org/includes/uploads/Planning_docs/Applications_and_Submittal_Requirements/Application_-_Boards___Commissions_Fillable.pdf

Preservation Guidelines, for the Historic District Only, can be found at the following link: https://medinaoh.org/includes/uploads/Planning_docs/Planning_Documents/Design_Guidelines.pdf

Signage
In addition to a COA, permanent and temporary signs within the district are subject to regulations related to size, height, placement, etc. Signs also require a separate Sign Permit application.

Permanent – https://medinaoh.org/includes/uploads/Building_Department/Application_-_Sign_Permit__Permanent_.pdf

Temporary – https://medinaoh.org/includes/uploads/Planning_docs/Applications_and_Submittal_Requirements/Application_-_Sign_Permit__Temporary_.pdf

Compliance
In order to participate, applicants may not have outstanding debts to the City, unpaid property taxes, or other unresolved issues with the City. 

Terms & Conditions

General

Main Street Medina (MSM) reserves the right to offer grant or loan amounts different from the amount requested by the Applicant.

MSM, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to modify the dates; suspend, amend, or modify the provisions outlined in this Program packet, to waive selected requirements or limitations herein, to reject all proposals, to negotiate modifications of proposal, or to award less than the full amount of the funding available; all in its sole and absolute discretion.

Nothing contained herein is intended to obligate or bind, nor shall it be construed to obligate or bind, MSM or any grantor of funds to this program, to make, award, or fund any grant to any entity whatsoever, and no entity shall have any claim, action, or cause of action against MSM or any grantor of funds for failure to make, award, or fund any grant. All determinations will be made with the best efforts of MSM and the MSM Design Committee and in the spirit of meeting the objectives of this program. The decisions of the MSM Design Committee are final, not subject to appeal and fully within the discretion of the MSM Design Committee subject to whatever process modifications they find necessary in the dispatch of their work to meet the guidelines of the program.

Matching Grant Program
MSM reserves the right to refuse reimbursement in whole or in part for work that:

• Does not conform to the guidelines and requirements outlined in this Program packet or adopted by MSM from time to time;
• Does not conform to the original project plan reviewed and approved by MSM (any changes or amendments must be submitted in writing, and approved by MSM, in advance);
• Is not commensurate with the workmanship and cost customary to the industry;
• Is not completed within one year of award and/or prior to June 30, 2026 (requests for a potential extension must be submitted in writing to MSM and will only be considered if progress has been demonstrated toward completion).

Low Interest, Revolving Loan Program
Our Community Development Financial Institution partner, ECDI, will administer the loans for this program. Terms include:

• Min Loan Amount: $15,000*
• Max Loan Amount: $25,000
• Loan Distribution: Half upfront; half at the midway point
• Interest Rate to Borrower: Prime Rate minus 2%
• Term: Up to 72 months (no prepayment penalties)
• Application Fee: $25
• Closing Fees: 3% (typically rolled into the Loan)

*Amounts lower than $15,000 will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Go to the ECDI.org website and select the “Inquire about a Loan” button (top right) to begin the process.

In order to ensure projects are executed in accordance with what was outlined in the original, approved application, ECDI will provide property/business owners half of the loan funds upfront and half of the loan funds midway through the project, following an MSM in-progress site review. Any changes or amendments to the original project plan must be submitted in writing, and approved by MSM, in advance.

The applicant and/or property owner promise(s) that funds borrowed from the lending institution will be used for no other purpose than the property improvements described on the Program Application Form. Furthermore, it is fully understood that any use of the borrowed funds, for any purpose other than the purposes outlined, constitutes an act of fraud. The undersigned also promises to comply with all monitoring efforts required by Main Street Medina and the City/County.

If all the money is not spent on the agreed property improvements, the unused balance must be paid back to the lending institution.

Additional Loan Options (Outside of this Program)

In addition to securing a loan from ECDI through this grant, property and business owners could take on bigger projects by stacking additional loans through some of the following options:

1) ECDI can provide additional funds above the $25,000 offered through this MSM Program and, if required, should be part of the discussion during the application process. Loan requests greater than $25,000 will be leveraged with ECDI dollars and must be approved through ECDI’s underwriting process.

2) Local Banks/Lenders SBA Loans, including, but not limited to …
- Huntington Bank
- First National Bank
- Premier Bank
- Chase Bank
- Westfield Bank
- The Commercial & Savings Bank

3) County/City programs, including, but not limited to …
Medina County Economic Development Corporation (MDEDC):
The Medina County Revolving Loan Fund is available to fund up to 50% of a fixed asset capital investment project, up to a maximum of $500,000, as long as one (1) new job is created for every $35,000 borrowed. The borrower has to create 51% of the new jobs from low-to-moderate income households, and they have three (3) years to achieve their job creation goals. Contact MCEDC by calling 330‐722‐9215 for more details. Further explanation around this program is included in the Appendix.

City of Medina, Economic Development Office:
The City does not currently have funds to supplement the above mentioned loan options. However, on property improvements greater than $25,000 that increase property value, there is a potential opportunity for tax abatement. Contact the Economic Development Office at 330-764-3319 for more information.

Process Steps - Matching Grant Program 

1. Submit a fully completed ‘Application Form’ to Main Street Medina (MSM) now through February 28, 2025.
2. Proposed projects will be reviewed by MSM’s Design Committee and assessed via a point system (‘Selection Criteria’ attached). Primary consideration for awarding funds will focus on the scope of the project, its expected impact on public visibility and historic preservation, and the degree to which it will impact the local economy. Active Main Street Medina members will be awarded three (3) additional points as part of the selection criteria.
3. Following approval by MSM, property and/or business owners would begin the City/County, Historic Preservation Board, etc., application/review/approval processes, as required. Key information and links are documented in the ‘Requirements’ section. To support these reviews, Main Street Medina will offer artistic rendering services (free to MSM Members; $100 to non-MSM Members).
4. The applicant shall review all quotes/bids, approvals, permits, etc. with MSM prior to commencing with any work.
5. During the construction phase, please contact MSM at 330-722-6168 midway through your project, and upon completion, to conduct an on-site visual inspection of the project to verify work is proceeding in a manner aligned with the scope outlined in the initial application. No grant reimbursement will be provided for work that deviates from the original project plan, unless changes/ amendments were submitted in writing, and approved by MSM, in advance.
6. A request for reimbursement may be made only upon:

• completion of the project,
• a final visual inspection by MSM,
• submission of a ‘Final Status Report Form’ to MSM, capturing a summary of how the funds were utilized and the impact the project is making; this is also required by MSM for compliance reporting,
• submission of the ‘Funding Reimbursement Form’ to MSM, which will include copies of paid-in-full invoices to the contractor(s).

Process Steps - Low-Interest, Revolving Loan Program 

1. Submit a fully completed ‘Application Form’ to Main Street Medina (MSM) now through February 28, 2025.
2. Proposed projects will be reviewed by MSM’s Design Committee and assessed via a point system (‘Selection Criteria’ attached). Primary consideration for awarding funds will focus on the scope of the project, its expected impact on public visibility and historic preservation, and the degree to which it will impact the local economy. Active Main Street Medina members will be awarded three (3) additional points as part of the selection criteria.
3. Following approval by MSM, property and/or business owners would begin the City/County, Historic Preservation Board, etc., application/review/approval processes, as required. Key information and links are documented in the ‘Requirements’ section. To support these reviews, Main Street Medina will offer artistic rendering services (free to MSM Members; $100 to non-MSM Members).
4. In parallel, property and business owners would begin working with ECDI and any other sources of loan funding. (Additional information can be found on the ‘Terms & Conditions’ and ‘Additional Loan Options’ pages.)
5. The applicant shall review all quotes/bids, approvals, permits, etc. with MSM prior to loan approval. MSM will then notify ECDI that this step has been completed and half of the loan funds will be provided upfront.
6. During the construction phase, please contact MSM at 330-722-6186 mid-way through the project to verify that work is proceeding in a manner aligned with the scope outlined in the original, approved application (any changes/amendments must have been submitted in writing, and approved by MSM, in advance). Following this site review, MSM will notify ECDI to provide the balance of the loan funds. Upon project completion, MSM will conduct a final visual inspection to verify completed work.
7. In order to support compliance reporting, a ‘Final Status Report Form’ must be submitted to MSM, capturing a summary of how the funds were utilized and the impact the project is making.

Reference Documents:
Main Street Medina Footprint Map
MCEDC Revolving Loan Fund
​Architectural Review & Historic Preservation Brochure

NOTE: ONLY LOAN FUNDS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE

APPLICATION