Quesnel's Facade Improvement Program

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

The City of Quesnel was successful in their grant application for $20,000 for commercial façade improvements. The Façade Improvement Program, offered for the first time in Quesnel through Northern Development Initiative Trust, provides the opportunity to make commercial areas more inviting and visually appealing to visitors and residents; increase assessed property values; promote private sector investment; build civic pride; and to stimulate the local economy.

“A sincere thank you to Northern Development Initiative Trust for their continued investment in the north. We are extremely pleased that our grant application was successful and that we are able to provide this type of assistance,” says Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom. “I would encourage all eligible property and business owners to take advantage of this opportunity.”

The program offers assistance to property owners and business owners to improve the physical appearance of buildings. The guidelines are intended to maximize the benefit for improving the aesthetics of commercial areas.

The City of Quesnel will provide a 50% reimbursement grant up to a maximum of $5,000 per building/
project to improve the facades of commercial buildings. The building must be located in one of the following Development Permit Areas: Downtown Core, West Quesnel, South Quesnel Highway, or Highway Frontage. Each building or business within the area is eligible for a one time grant. Projects must have a minimum total cost of $2,000 in order to qualify.

Eligible improvements may consist of but are not limited to new lighting, architectural features, new windows, facade painting, new siding, murals, entrances and doorways, signage, and awnings. Only buildings used for commercial or offices are eligible; residential buildings are not eligible. To apply, you must be the property owner or have written authorization from the property owner. There must be a current, valid business licence for the property (unless currently vacant or otherwise exempt) and there must be no outstanding permit matters.

A map of Eligible Properties, Eligibility Requirements and complete Application details are now available on the City’s website at www.quesnel.ca/Permits.html.

To view the funding programs and success stories of Northern Development Initiative Trust, visit their website at www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca.