Beautification Program

Purpose

To encourage visual improvements that serve as a catalyst for further investment in the general area. It is anticipated that physical improvements will include but not necessarily be limited to upgrades to signs, facades, surface parking lots, planters, and landscaping. 

Pho Dakao Signage

Eligibility & Guidelines

This program is open to all businesses in Framingham, but targeted to properties located on visible or high-traffic areas such as Routes 135, 30, 9, Concord and Waverly Streets. The applicant must either own the property in question or have a letter of authorization for the project from the owner. Moreover the property must not have any outstanding obligations to the City (i.e. no back taxes owed, city liens, etc.).

The project must have all required city approvals and permits. There is no permit required for basic landscape improvements but please consult the Building Department (508.532-5500) if any structures or signs are being modified.

This is a reimbursement grant - payable when the work is completed. The procurement and reimbursement process that follows a project's approval is summarized below:

  • The business owner must seek out a minimum of three (3) bids for the project,
  • He or she then selects the contractor from among these bids,
  • Projects may receive reimbursements of up to half the total project cost or $3,500, whichever is less,
  • Grant is payable when project is completed and all relevant receipts submitted and approved by the City,
  • Receipts must be itemized,
  • EDIC staff will inspect and certify project completion.

Villages

While funding through this program is available to any Framingham business or commercial property owner who meets the criteria, the recently published Strategic Economic Development Plan for Nobscot and Saxonville states that a "district-based facade, landscape and signage improvement program would help to beautify and invite positive private investment into the district" (p. 45). To this end, the EDIC has chosen to place an emphasis upon projects within the Villages. It is hoped that doing so will help to reinvigorate these vital commercial centers while also complimenting the CDBG funded Sign and Facade Program which is focused on Framingham's Downtown.

Application

Contact the Division of Community and Economic Development for more information.