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).

Commercial property owners and businesses may apply for reimbursable matching grants to enhance exterior curb appeal and functionality; improve their parking, signage, and other site features; enhance interior appeal and functionality; and/or improve or change the building use to a food-service or grocery business. All eligible improvements are listed below. Contact CRA staff with any questions about what constitutes an eligible improvement.

Apply here

Lealman Commercial Improvement Grant Requirements and Process

Is my business eligible? Application process
  • Structurally sound, properly permitted buildings in the Joe's Creek Industrial Park or property with an approved non-residential use
  • Ineligible businesses: national corporate franchises, bail/bonds, pawn shops, smoke shops, electronic or vapor cigarette stores, mini-storage facilities, adult-oriented businesses, mobile vendors, places of worship, organizations exempt from property taxes
  • 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: Must be able to prove current ownership at time of application
  • 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
  • Projects already in progress are ineligible for grant funds
  • 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

Exterior Improvements Site Improvements Interior Improvements Food-Service/Grocery Improvements
  • Exterior painting when paired with:
    • New or replacement siding
    • Masonry work
    • Remove, restore, or add architectural details or features on exterior of building
  • Awnings, shutters, and canopies installation or replacement
  • Flood proofing for properties in a floodplain
  • Doors and windows installation or replacement (including loading dock/garage doors; costs associated with changing size of openings)
  • New roof and painting for building addition
  • Replacement roof for entire building when combined with a significant business expansion resulting in building addition
  • Exterior lighting attached to an existing building
  • New installation or replacement of exterior signage attached to the building and/or on windows (Reimbursement for signage expenses are limited to 25% of the grant award.)
  • Architectural, engineering, permitting, and development review fees. (Matching reimbursement only upon completion of improvements) 
  • Stormwater improvements (improvements could include the reduction of impervious surface area such as removing unneeded pavement areas and convert to drainage areas/green space or the conversion of impervious to pervious surface(s) to better manage stormwater on property; improvements could also include green infrastructure and/or subsurface vault systems needed on-site towards stormwater management and/or treatment to comply with stormwater regulations)
  • New and replacement fencing (chain link is ineligible), dumpster enclosures, and buffer walls
  • Parking lots, parking spaces, service/loading areas, sidewalks, pathways, and lighting (includes ADA-compliant improvements)
  • Landscaping and irrigation (no sod allowed, must be Native or “Florida-Friendly” plants and pre-approved by Pinellas County). Landscaping is limited to $2,500. This limit may be waived with County staff approval if the landscaping is integral to green infrastructure stormwater management enhancements (including but not limited to rain gardens, bio-swales, etc.)
  • Construction of driveway access, pedestrian, and bicycle amenities such as benches, shelters, bike racks, and bike lockers
  • New installation or replacement of exterior signage, including monument and pole signs advertising the business name and identity. (Reimbursement for signage expenses are limited to 25% of the grant award.)
  • Demolition
  • Sewer/Potable water utility relocation.
  • Architectural, engineering, permitting, and development review fees (Matching reimbursement only upon completion of improvements)  
  • Costs associated with adding or removing walls (including costs associated with insulation, footers, load bearing walls, roofing systems, and foundations)
  • Interior remodel project
    • New and replacement flooring
    • New ceiling installations
    • New millwork and cabinetry, service counters
    • Interior demolition
    • Plumbing, natural gas, and electrical systems Interior painting (only when combined with a complete remodel)
  • Cost associated with installation of a new restroom, if required for change of use
  • Flood proofing for properties in a floodplain
  • Cost to upsize an HVAC system due to significant business expansion resulting in building addition
  • 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 (Matching reimbursement only upon completion of improvements)
  • Grease traps and/or interceptors
  • Kitchen hoods and/or venting
  • Plumbing/electrical
  • Gas lines
  • Installed Walk-ins (freezer/fridge)
  • Prep space
  • Permanent kitchen equipment (must include installation, excluding non-fixed equipment)
  • Floor drains
  • Three-compartment sink
  • Flooring
  • AC/heat
  • Fire suppression
  • Solid waste/recycling systems
  • Restrooms
  • ADA compliance
  • Utility impact fees related to change of use to food service/grocery, or expansion/new construction of a food service/grocery business
  • Other improvements (approved by the CRA) to facilitate a change of use
  • Architectural and engineering fees, as well as permitting and development review fees (Matching reimbursement only upon completion of improvements) 

Grant Fund Amounts

Applicants may apply for all four categories of eligible improvements (exterior, site, interior, food-service/grocery). Applicants may also apply for just one or two categories. The maximum grant award amount is $100,000 for any combination of categories, except interior and food-service/grocery are limited to $25,000.

Lealman Commercial Improvement Grant- Funds

Award Limit Improvements Categories
$100,000 Any combination of categories. Interior and food-service/grocery improvements are limited to $25,000 each.
$25,000 Only interior improvements
$25,000 Only food-service/grocery improvements