Renovated storefronts sprout in River
By Danielle Toth
Rocky River
Published Sept. 30, 2009

The storefronts of Rocky River are boasting some new upgrades thanks to Cuyahoga County’s Storefront Renovation Rebate Program. The program, which ended Sept. 15, provides a 30 percent rebate up to $6,000 on an exterior improvement. An additional 5 percent rebate is given to businesses that use green/sustainable/recycled components in the project. For example, Leo Luck’s installed glass block windows that will improve energy efficiency and thus received the bonus 5 percent.

Rocky River led the county in the number of businesses that utilized the program. Twenty-seven businesses represented $255,992.06 in total upgrades. The businesses received a total of $81,610.30 back in rebates.

“The program has been around for awhile, but only first-ring suburbs were eligible, which Rocky River is not a member of,” said Kory Koran, director of economic and community development for Rocky River. “This year, in March, they opened it up to other communities in the urban county, which includes Rocky River.”

Some participants have already received their rebates, and others are still completing ongoing projects. The program requires a minimum of paperwork, and many restrictions that are in similar programs do not apply, Koran said. There is no fee for communities to participate and the funding comes from the county’s general fund.

However, the county does have criteria for the program. Eligible projects include façade improvements (the face and side of the building must be visible publicly and be generally used for public access), signs, awnings, windows and doors, parking lots in the front of the business, painting and cleaning, lighting, exterior code access, Americans with Disabilities Act-Compliant Access and landscaping (in addition to another project). Ineligible projects include interior improvements and elements not seen from the front of the building. In addition, schools, residential buildings, strip malls and plazas and franchise businesses are ineligible.

Rocky River had one project turned down because the submission was for a parking lot in the rear of the building.

The Woods Restaurant, 21919 Center Ridge Road, is just one business to take advantage of the program. After a $20,000 renovation to its building front, owner Chad Chillemi will receive a $7,000 rebate. But not all projects have to be large. Mike Urban, of Mike Urban Chiropractic, will receive a $700 rebate on a $2,000 sign.

The city has not yet received word if the program will continue next year.

“We hope it will continue,” Koran said. “The program has been very successful.”

The program is a way for businesses to invest in the community, Rocky River Mayor Pam Bobst said.

“It’s an important tool to be able to go to the businesses and say, ‘Gee, the building’s in need of maintenance and repair and here’s a real opportunity to invest in your property and receive some of those dollars back,’” she said.

The city promoted the program to the local business community through the Rocky River Chamber of Commerce, the Old Detroit Merchants’ Association, the Center Ridge Corporate Corridor Group and the Building Department.

“It’s a really positive thing to see the kind of investment that our businesses have made and our property owners have made, and we’re very pleased with that,” Bobst said. “We consider with the economy being what it is, to see that kind of investment in a few short months, is wonderful. We’ve received a wonderful response. The Building Department played a critical role because all projects go through the department.”

Bobst said she was very pleased to learn Rocky River led the county in the amount of projects.

“We asked the county if there was a limit on the number of projects, and they said, ‘No, just keep the projects coming,’” Bobst said. “It speaks highly of our businesses community and their desire to invest in not only their business but in our community.”