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Lealman Commercial Improvement Grant Program

The Lealman CRA Commercial Improvement Program is intended to provide matching grants to accelerate and leverage private investment to improve the appearance, condition, and functionality of existing non-residential sites and buildings in the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area (CRA).
The program provides reimbursable matching grants to commercial property owners and businesses that upgrade their building façades, landscaping, lighting, loading and service areas, and other features of the exterior of their sites, and interior upgrades with a focus on projects that remedy degraded building systems and extend the economic viability of the building.

Apply here

Lealman Commercial Improvement Grant Requirements and Process

Is my business eligible? Application process
  • Commercial, industrial, mixed-use with zoning/building approvals
  • Must be able to match grant award with own investment
  • Within CRA boundaries and has frontage on one of the following commercial corridors: Joe’s Creek Industrial Park, 49th St. N., 54th Ave. N., 34th St. N., Haines Rd., 28th St. N.
  • Owner of the property
  • Current on all property taxes, not in foreclosure, no outstanding liens or Code Enforcement violations. 
  • Use must be consistent with Pinellas County land development regulations
  • Has not received improvement grant in last five years if the building use or ownership remains the same, three years if the building use or ownership changed.
  • Must maintain improvements per terms of contract
  • Submit application online
  • Submit documents as requested
  • Sign Grant Agreement
  • Complete the projects
  • Pay the contractors for their work
  • Submit receipts, paid invoices, and lien releases to CRA staff
  • CRA staff will submit to board for payment approval

Eligible Improvements

Lealman Commercial Improvement Grant Program Eligible Improvements

Eligible Site Improvements Eligible Interior Improvements

 

  • Exterior painting, re-siding, and/or cleaning
  • Masonry repairs
  • Removal of architecturally inappropriate or incompatible exterior finishes and materials
  • Restoration of significant architectural details or removal of materials that cover said architectural details
  • Site improvement features such as stormwater, fencing (chain link is ineligible), parking lots, landscaping (no sod allowed, must be Native or “Florida-Friendly” plants and pre-approved by Pinellas County), lighting, dumpster enclosures, and buffer walls. (Reimbursement for site improvement expenses is limited to 25% of the grant award; however, exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis when said features are required to bring the site into full site plan compliance or for a change of use. Landscaping is limited to 10% of the total grant award.)
  • Construction of driveway access, pedestrian, and bicycle amenities such as benches, shelters, bike racks, and bike lockers
  • Installation or repair of exterior signage, including wall, window, hanging, and monument signs advertising the business name and identity. (Reimbursement for signage expenses are limited to 25% of the grant award.)
  • Awnings and canopies installation or repair
  • Doors and windows
  • Roof repairs or replacement that attach to a new or renovated façade (i.e., painting or site improvement feature)
  • Exterior lighting attached to an existing building
  • Demolition
  • Sewer/Potable water utility upgrades and relocation.
  • Remediation of environmental contamination on the exterior site, such as lead, petroleum, or asbestos
  • Architectural, engineering, permitting, and development review fees. (Fee reimbursement cannot exceed 10% percent of the total grant award.)

 
  • Structure stabilization (repair/replacement of foundations, footers, load-bearing walls, and roofing systems)
  • Plumbing, natural gas, and electrical systems
  • Energy efficiency improvements (window upgrades, insulation, hot water heater, HVAC systems)
  • Painting when accompanied by interior work such as installing or relocating walls, minor demolition, and any work as long as it is part of an improvement and not the sole project for which a funding request is being made.
  • Remediation of environmental contamination on the interior of the building, including painting, such as lead, mold, or asbestos
  • Architectural and engineering fees, as well as permitting and development review fees not to exceed 10 percent of the total eligible project cost.

Combining Interior and Exterior Grants Awards

Applicants may apply for one or both programs (interior and exterior); however, the maximum grant award combined between the two programs cannot exceed $40,000, and the maximum Commercial Building Interior Improvement Program matching grant cannot exceed $20,000. The table below provides examples of how the two programs can be
combined with one another.

Lealman Commercial Improvement Grant- Funds

Sample Commercial Site Improvement Program Application Amount Sample Commercial Building Interior Improvement Program Application Amount Sample Combined Application Amount
$40,000 $0 $40,000
$30,000 $10,000 $40,000
$20,000 $20,000 $40,000
$10,000 $20,000 $30,000
$0 $20,000 $20,000