Program Overview 

The City of Evanston's Storefront Modernization Program is a funding tool to assist small business owners improve the appearance and functionality of commercial buildings located in the city's business districts. The city will provide a rebate of 50% of the total cost of qualifying interior or exterior improvements. The Economic Development Division manages the program. The funding is first reviewed by the Economic Development Committee and forwarded to the City Council for final approval.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible participants include commercial property owners and tenants of ground floor commercial buildings facing business district streets. Tenants must have:

• A current lease with a minimum of five (5) years remaining from the date of Application or provide evidence that the business has operated in Evanston for over five (5) years; and
• Written approval from the property owner to participate in the program and consent to recordation against the subject property of a Declaration of Covenants Affecting the Property (for projects receiving a forgivable loan of $5,000 or more).
• Eligibility for the interior buildout portion of the program is limited to property owners and/or tenants of ground floor commercial buildings within one of Evanston's Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Districts.

Exterior Improvements

The exterior portion of a building that faces the public right-of-way and is fronted by a sidewalk or similar pedestrian-oriented pathway are eligible for a maximum of $10,000 on a 50/50 cost sharing basis.

Eligible improvements include:

• Ramps 
• Door openers
• Signage
• Painting 
• Lighting
• Windows and doors
• Awnings or canopies
• Fascia
• Tile
• Trim
• Metal work
• Other decorative elements, restoration of historic properties, and other improvements contributing to the visual enhancement or accessibility of a property

Interior Improvements

Properties located in one of Evanston's TIF districts are eligible for 50% reimbursement of the cost of interior improvements, dependent upon the availability of TIF funds and subject to negotiation and City Council approval.

Eligible interior improvements must be TIF eligible and result in a capital improvement. They include:

• Plumbing
• HVAC
• Electrical work
• Life safety/sprinkler systems
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance

Apply

Applications are currently closed for 2024.

Before applying to the Storefront Modernization Program, please carefully review the Evanston Storefront Modernization Program Guidelines. The application can be completed online at cityofevanston.org/storefrontmodernizationapplication. Upon submission, applications will be reviewed and evaluated by Economic Development staff to based on the criteria outlined in the program guidelines.

Contact the Economic Development Division at economicdevelopment@cityofevanston.org with any questions.