The St. Louis Park Economic Development Authority (EDA), along with Hennepin County, established the Façade Improvement Grant Program to stimulate investment in the Historic Walker Lake business district, CedarLou Corridor, Minnetonka Boulevard, Excelsior Boulevard and 36th Street areas. The goal of the program is to provide an incentive to businesses and property owners to make lasting physical improvements to their buildings to enhance the overall aesthetics of the commercial districts.
Grant funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and all projects receiving funding must be completed by April 1, 2027. This grant requires a one-to-one match from the applicant. The program is subject to funding availability from the City of St. Louis Park and Hennepin County’s Love Local Storefront initiative.
Who can apply?
Property owners, tenants and for-profit and not-for-profit businesses located in designated areas of Historic Walker Lake business district, CedarLou Corridor, Minnetonka Boulevard, Excelsior Boulevard and 36th are eligible to apply for a grant.
View the district map.
Funding terms
- Grant amount: $5,000 – $15,000
- Grant funds must be matched one-to-one.
- Example: To be eligible for the maximum loan of $10,000, the applicant must provide evidence of having paid at least $20,000 in expenses for eligible program uses.
- Disbursement of funds will be tied to specific eligible uses of funds, specific agreed-upon outcomes and other terms outlined in a grant agreement.
- Projects must be completed by April 1, 2027.
A total of $80,000 has been allocated to this program. Grant funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Loans will be provided until all program funds have been used or by April 1, 2027, whichever comes first.
Project eligibility
- Property is located within the Historic Walker Lake business district, CedarLou Corridor, Minnetonka Boulevard, Excelsior Boulevard and 36th Street business districts.
- Contain at least one of the following:
- One for-profit, independent, locally owned retail, food and beverage, or service business with 50 or fewer employees that is open to the public.
- One nonprofit organization that is open to the general public and operates in a manner similar to a business with regular hours (i.e., a thrift shop, coffee shop, etc.)
- Property is up to date on all property taxes.
- All construction management is your responsibility.
- Review the applicable design guidelines and application before submission to verify project eligibility.
- This is a reimbursement program; you must complete and pay for the improvement work before the program administrator will issue a reimbursement check.
- Applicant must demonstrate their ability to complete the project and seek reimbursement by Dec. 31, 2026. Matching funds will not be available past this date.
- All grants are subject to prior Hennepin County approval.
- All improvements must adhere to the design guidelines for specific district and/or zoning code (Historic Walker Lake District Revitalization Plan and Design Guidelines(PDF, 3MB), Texa-Tonka Small Area Plan and Zoning Code(PDF, 14MB).)
Eligible project improvements
A façade is an individual storefront or commercial building principal side which faces a public right of way or is otherwise visible to the public from the street.
Façade grants may be used for a variety of exterior building façade enhancements. The work must be visible from the public street. Projects along active, more visible alleys may be eligible under certain circumstances, as determined by the façade grant committee.
Ineligible project improvements
- Improvements completed prior to date of city’s grant award
- Improvements outside of the project scope
- Items considered routine maintenance
- Billboards
- Roofing
- Mechanical and HVAC systems
- Interior work
- Temporary signs or improvements
- Interior window displays
- Security systems
- Trash and mechanical enclosures
- Landscaping
- Parking lot improvements
- Fencing
- Improvements not visible from the street
- Improvements to buildings that have received facade improvement awards with Hennepin County funds within the last three years
Right to deny
The economic development authority retains the right to deny any application for grant funding.
How to apply
1. Review program guidelines and ensure project eligibility
Before applying, review the Love Local Storefront Facade Improvement Grant program guidelines(PDF, 177KB) to make sure your business is eligible.
2. Meet with program advisor
After you review the guidelines, schedule a meeting with the program administrator, Jase Pater, to discuss the project. View contact information below.
3. Complete application
If your project meets the eligibility requirements, complete the Love Local Storefronts Grant application(PDF, 200KB).
Submit completed application and required documents by email to Jase Pater at jpater@stlouisparkmn.gov.
Grant award
The applicant will receive a signed copy of the façade grant application from the program administrator after the project has been approved. Before proceeding, the applicant must get all necessary city permits for the project or ensure your contractor pulled the necessary permits. Payment verification for permits and taxes is required before grant fund disbursements.
Grant reimbursement
After the project is completed, submit the required documentation to the program administrator by April 1, 2027.
Grant reimbursements will occur after the work is completed in accordance with the grant requirements. Please be aware that once work is finalized and the required documentation is submitted to the city for reimbursement, it can take up to 35 days for reimbursement.
Contact
For more information or to schedule a meeting to discuss your business, contact Jase Pater at 952.924.2523 or jpater@stlouisparkmn.gov.