The purpose of Operation Facelift is to:

Click the link below to see Before and After shots of our most recent project.
POTEET-YNDO
DJ BAKERY
Profiles
929 Austin Highway
1931 Fredericksburg Road
1802-1820 Blanco Road
1946 Fredericksburg Road
1720 Fredericksburg Road
and more to come...

Click here to download the Operation Facelift Application.

BASICS

ELIGIBLE AREAS
Commercial and retail corridors located within the City that have been designated as NCR Program Revitalization Projects are eligible to participate in Operation Facelift. Click here for a map of current Revitalization Projects.

NON ELIGIBLE AREAS
NCRP Partnership Projects are not eligible to participate in Operation Facelift.

ELIGIBLE PROPERTIES
Applications may be submitted for commercial properties, either owner or tenant occupied within the NCR Program target areas. Owners of vacant buildings are encouraged to apply and improve property as a catalyst for future occupancy. Mixed use buildings with retail/commercial in the storefront may be considered.

NON ELIGIBLE PROPERTIES
Properties used primarily as residences are not eligible for Operation Facelift.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Commercial property and business owners located in eligible areas, may apply for assistance. Tenants must have a signed lease and the property owner’s approval.

Existing or new businesses and property owners within NCRP Revitalization Project areas may apply to the Housing & Neighborhood Services Department to take part in Operation Facelift. Partnership Projects of the NCRP are not eligible.

1. complete facade rehabilitation;
2. replacement of broken window panes, aluminum or wood windows and broken store front glass;
3. repair or replace worn awnings or canopies;
4. removal of metal slipcovers to expose original materials;
5. scraping, priming, and painting of window frames, cornice and store front;
6. repair or replace deteriorating signage and brackets when attached to the facade;
7. repair or replace missing or broken tile;
8. painting of brick facades where brick has been previously painted;
9. rehabilitation of the upper facade and display areas or side walls of a building may also be eligible if street level improvements are approved,
10. roof repair when incidental to overall facade improvements
11. Other minor repairs when incidental to overall facade improvements such as:
    • exterior lighting
    • certain security elements
    • repair of sidewalks, or
    • detached signage

INELIGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS
The following improvements are not eligible for funding:

• improvements which do not conform to the adopted design guidelines;
• new construction;
• parking lots (except for exterior lighting);
• burglar bars;
• roofs by themselves;
• blank walls
• work which has been performed or which has been placed under contract prior to approval of an application.

In establishing Design Guidelines, the Design and Planning Committee address area history, problems, and standards for improvement. The adopted design guidelines of the specific target area will be used in developing concepts for potential projects to be funded by Operation Facelift.

DESIGN REVIEW TEAM
A Design Review Team (DRT) will review all applications submitted.

The DRT will be composed of:

• Target area Design and Planning Committee members for the target areas;
• NCRP staff ;
• Planning Department staff (Historic Preservation Office staff).

SELECTION CRITERIA
In addition to area, applicant and improvement eligibility, grant funding will be awarded based on the following selection criteria:

• completeness of application;
• reasonableness of costs;
• appropriateness and need for improvement;
• evidence of match;
• conformance with design guidelines as adopted for the subject target area;
• review and approval by the DRT prior to implementation;
• compliance with City, state and federal regulations and permitting requirements;
• approval by Historic Design Review Commission for properties located in a Historic Districts, and;
• a signed grant agreement between the City and applicant and acceptance of all program requirements.

FUNDING
Applications for grants from $500 to $15,000 will be accepted throughout the year as funds are available. The grant amount must be matched equally by the business or property owner, dollar for dollar. In-kind contributions and profits generated by applicant serving as contractor will not be considered as part of the required match. Total project costs can exceed $30,000, however, the maximum City funding for a project will be $15,000.

Current funding for Operation Facelift is from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). 

DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS
Grant funds will be made available on a reimbursement basis with original proof of payment(s). Funds will be released upon satisfactory completion, inspection, and acceptance of all work. Work must begin within 30 days and be completed within 180 days from date of agreement.

COMPLIANCE WITH CITY, STATE AND FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS
All projects requiring permitting must obtain necessary permits as well as pass the required inspections. Copies of permits is a requirement for reimbursement. Operation Facelift projects exceeding $2,000 must comply with the Davis Bacon Wage Act. The act requires contractors to pay their employees a specified minimum wage determined by the Secretary of Labor to be prevailing for similar work in any given area. The prevalent wage rate for Bexar County is available upon request or at www.access.gpo.gov/davisbacon/tx.html. The applicant or the principal contractor is responsible for the full compliance of all employees. A pre-construction meeting will be held with the applicant as the final step before work can begin. At that meeting, all applicable documents will be given to the applicant. Any contactors are encouraged to attend this meeting although the ultimate responsibility lies with the applicant.