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Facade, Signage and Lighting Improvement Program

The Facade, Signage and Lighting Improvement Program provides technical and financial assistance to property owners or tenants seeking to renovate or restore commercial building exterior facades. The Program seeks to improve the physical appearance of independent businesses and enhance the commercial districts of Cambridge.

The Program provides a matching grant of up to $35,000 for facade improvements, which may include restoration of architectural details, better windows and doors, and well-proportioned signage and lighting. An architectural consultant retained by the City can provide assistance to applicants through the conceptual design stage, at no cost to applicants. Large scale projects may require a licensed architect and contractor to refine a conceptual design and to implement the City-approved plans.

Upgrading the image of a commercial district and storefront requires the evaluation of each proposed improvement within the local historical and architectural context. Designers must coordinate all elements of the building facade in an approach that respects the building’s location and neighboring structures and makes a noticeable visual improvement.

Please note that improvements made prior to approval of an a design and contract by the Program's review committee will not be funded.

To participate in the Facade, Signage and Lighting Improvement Program business owners must complete the following application forms.

Go to the Facade and Signage Improvement Program Guidelines and Application Form.This file is in PDF format and requires use of the free Adobe Acrobat viewer.

For More Information

If you have questions about the Facade Improvement Program or would like to receive a copy of the guidelines and application, contact Chris Basler, cbasler@cambridgema.gov, at 617/349-4601. The Community Development Department TTY line is 617/349-4621.

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