Storefront renovation in full force
By Allison Pritchard
Rocky River
Published June 10, 2009

Fifteen businesses in Rocky River are taking advantage of a program that gives them 30 percent back from storefront renovation projects. The Cuyahoga County program that started March 2 “has really taken off full force,” said Rocky River Director of Economic and Community Development Kory Koran.

Businesses will receive rebates after fixing up their building facade with exterior improvements. This is the first time Rocky River is eligible for these funds, Mayor Pam Bobst said, who thinks the program will be very worthwhile to local business owners.

The plans must be reviewed and approved by the county before the businesses receive the rebates, Bobst said. An additional five percent rebate will be given to businesses that use green, sustainable or recycled components in their projects.

The Woods is one River business that plans to make a major renovation of its building front, including a new roof, Koran said. After the $20,000 project is completed, owner Chad Chillemi will get back around $6,000 Koran said.

The first business that took advantage of the program, Leo Luck’s Auto Repair, located at 19985 Detroit Rd; has already begun its project that consists of adding glass block windows and a new awning. After completion, the county will reimburse the company with 30 percent of the cost of the awning and 35 percent of the cost of the glass block windows because they meet the county’s standards as “energy efficient,” Koran said.

Koran also commented on how “easy” the program is for the city. The program requires minimal paperwork and many restrictions that he has seen in other programs do not apply. The funds come directly from the county once each project is complete, he added.

Some businesses, such at those on the block of Bucci’s, SJM and Hilliard Cleaners, will spend a considerable amount ($45,000) and receive sizeable rebates ($13,000), Koran said. A new business, Mike Urban Chiropractic will receive a $700 rebate on a $2000 sign, he said.

The renovation program, sponsored by the Cuyahoga County Commissioners Department of Development, is designed to assist business owners with improving sides of business buildings that the public sees and addressing exterior code violations, according to the program’s Web site.

During the June 1 council meeting, when Koran gave his director’s report to council, he talked about the success of the rebate program and how the changes will enhance the corporate corridor.

Improvements may include facade improvements, signs, awnings, windows, doors, front parking lots, painting, cleaning, exterior code access, lighting, ADA compliant access and landscaping (only in addition to the aforementioned). Interior buildings improvements are ineligible, according to the Web site.

The storefront rebate renovation program started as a loan program, but only one or two loans were created a year because businesses couldn’t meet the guidelines, said Pequita Hansberry of the Cuyahoga County Department of Economic and Community Development.

When the department realized the original program wasn’t touching enough communities, it came up with the rebate renovation program to reach more. The county lowered the amount and made qualifications less strenuous, and “it worked,” Hansberry said.

The new program “allows us to help more communities and more business owners,” Hansberry said. It “seems to be going very very well,” she said.

Currently more than 30 businesses in Cuyahoga County take part in the program, Hansberry said.

Businesses can renovate up to $20,000 and get a maximum of 40 percent rebate, she said. The maximum rebate amount is $6,000 per business.

Questions regarding the storefront renovation rebate program can be forwarded to Hansberry at (216) 443-8397, or Koran at (440) 331-0600. Visit development.cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/2009-Storefront-Renovation-Rebate-Program.aspx for more information.