Grant-funded façade improvements lifting up downtown

Published 5:00 pm Thursday, May 12, 2016

Auburn’s Downtown Façade Improvement Grant Program gives business owners a shot at applying for money they can use to spruce up their storefronts and make other improvements.

Strategic, physical improvements to buildings, the City reasons, that will keep and bring out the downtown area’s charm.

Next time you stop by Zola’s Cafe, or the Homeplate Tavern, or Jason’s Coffee and Bakery, or Nelson’s Jewelry, or Tribeca Spa, or the Masonic Temple, look around, ask a question or two, and you’ll probably learn what the money paid for.

How Nelson’s Jeweler restored its neon corner sign to the old purple glory so it works again and glows at night.

How searching for greater recognition from D and Main Street, West Law Offices got a new overhang in keeping with the building’s bungalow style, and a coordinated sign on the lawn.

How the Auburn Valley Barber Shop updated its sign and fixed electrical problems in two of the three electrical cabinets.

And how Zola’s Café got three new, handpainted, double-sided signs, a chalkboard and a wall sign eyeballable down Main Street.

“We are very excited. It’s worked out really well for us,” said Sonia Kessler, owner of Zola’s Café.

The program started in June 2015. Out of the $100,000 2015 budget, the City’s program has spent $99,007 to date.

Economic Development Manager Doug Lein recently told the Auburn City Council that of the 10 projects that were on the list, seven have been completed, and that as of year-end 2015, the City approved the last three to go forward.

“They are in process now – some (of the delay) had to with the weather – and they are scheduled to be completed by the first of June,” Lein said.

The Auburn Downtown Association also offers grant money for façade improvements.