City of Tucson handing out funds for storefront makeovers | Local News

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – The City of Tucson is offering grant money to commercial property owners who want to upgrade their storefronts in a neighborhood north of downtown, according to a press release from the Housing and Community Development Department.

The Thrive Storefront Renovation Project will distribute up to $500,000 in construction funding for as many as three exterior improvement projects within the Thrive in the 05 area. The program aims to help property owners attract more customers and improve the look of commercial corridors in the neighborhood, which sits roughly one mile north of downtown Tucson between Interstate 10, Speedway Boulevard, Stone Avenue and Miracle Mile.

Property owners in the Historic Miracle Mile District can apply for additional funding. As many as five property owners could receive up to $10,000 each for exterior improvements that match the area’s historic character, according to the department.

Applications for the storefront renovation project will be accepted from June 1 through Aug. 21 at 4 p.m. Applications for historic preservation funding are due by Aug. 9 at 4 p.m. 

The city will host a virtual meeting June 25 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. via Zoom for property owners to ask questions about the program. The Meeting ID is 841 7444 4650.

In 2023, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded the Thrive in the 05 neighborhood $50 million to carry out a transformation plan created after the area experienced decades of disinvestment. Projects submitted for funding must fall within the Thrive in the 05 zone boundaries, according to the department.

For questions about the program, contact Denisse Ortega-Loroña at denisse.ortega-lorona@tucsonaz.gov.