The Facade Improvement Program was established for the purpose of upgrading the facades of buildings, enhancing the structure's era, style, materials, and detailing. In addition, the program is structured to eliminate construction incompatible to the original design and return the buildings to their historical facades; maintain and repair building frontages; provide aesthetically pleasing identification of businesses and eliminate outdated, unharmonious or nonfunctional signage; and to improve the structural integrity of the buildings where necessary. Deferred Payment Loans are made for the lesser of 80% of total project or maximum of $30,000 in the Downtown Streetscape area which are forgivable after three years. Facade loans shall be the lesser of 35% or $5,000 to rehabilitate storefronts and rear entrances, including signage, awnings, exterior cleaning and painting, door and window treatment and other improvements including structural work (entire structure).
Facade Loans will be made only in the following area of the Downtown Project: "K" Street from Inyo Avenue to Pine Avenue, Tulare Avenue from "J" Street to "L" Street and Kern Avenue from "J" Street to "L" Street (the "Facade Loan Area"). This area coincides with the streetscape improvement area.
Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and the Tulare Redevelopment Agency only makes approximately 2-3 loans per fiscal year. Funds are available to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, age, handicap, national origin or sex. For additional information on the Façade Improvement Program, please contact the Redevelopment Agency at City Hall, 411 East Kern Avenue, Tulare, CA 93274 or by calling 559-684-4233.
