DMD Board approves record amount of grant funding for first four months of program year

Despite the pandemic, Downtown’s small businesses and property owners are investing in their properties in record numbers.

DMD officials share that with the approval of five grants at its January Board meeting, the Downtown Management District (DMD) Board of Directors has approved a record amount of funding for Improvement Grants during the current program year.

 The DMD manages four improvement grant programs in total. The Downtown Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program and the Downtown Signature Signage and Lighting programs are funded by the DMD and the City of El Paso/TIRZ No. 5.

The DMD’s Downtown Pedestrian Corridor Improvement Grant Program and Downtown Mural Grant Program are funded solely by the DMD.  Maximum grants are $10,000 or $25,000 depending on the specific program, and all grants require an equal match from the applicant.                                                 

For the program year which started October 1, 2020, the DMD Board has approved the following grants:

Applicant	Address	Grant	Amount	Approved
Courtron, LLC/Raul Aguirre	313 E. Mills Ave.	Façade	$25,000	October 22, 2020
Stanton Street Development, LLC/Don Schneider/ Jeannette Franco	601 Texas Ave.	Façade	$25,000	October 22, 2020
EP OHM Holdings, LLC/Augustin Montes	209 N. Mesa	Façade	$25,000	October 22, 2020
EP OHM Holdings, LLC/Augustin Montes	209 N. Mesa	Signage & Lighting	$25,000	October 22, 2020
Courtron, LLC/Raul Aguirre	313 E. Mills Ave.	Pedestrian Corridor	$10,000	October 22, 2020
Legate Co. Texas, LLC/ Rida Asfahani	201 E. San Antonio	Façade	$25,000	December 3, 2020
WestStar Tower, LLC/ Brian Kelley	601 N. Mesa	Signage & Lighting	$25,000	December 3, 2020
WestStar Tower, LLC/ Brian Kelley	601 N. Mesa	Pedestrian Corridor	$10,000	December 3, 2020
Fire Emoji, LLC/Jonathan Escalante	533 W. Franklin Ave.	Façade	$25,000	January 28, 2021
Johnny Escalante	1031 Texas Ave.	Façade	$22,382.50	January 28, 2021
Fire Emoji, LLC/Jonathan Escalante	533 W. Franklin Ave.	Signage & Lighting	$8,975	January 28, 2021
Johnny Escalante	1031 Texas Ave.	Signage & Lighting	$13,450	January 28, 2021
Stanton Street Development, LLC/Jeannette Franco	601 Texas Ave.	Pedestrian Corridor	$8,510.75	January 28, 2021
TOTAL Number of Grants Approved This Year: 13		TOTAL Amount Granted This Year: $242,068.25

 

Previous Grant Awards by year are as follows:

 

Program Year	# of Grants Awarded	Grant Funds Allocated
2011-2012	14	$200,776.59
2012-2013	11	$200,247.59
2013-2014	7	$125,415.09
2014-2015	9	$139,801.42
2015-2016	7	$52,028.20
2016-2017	5	$71,069.10
2017-2018	9	$149,412.86
2018-2019*	10	$192,708.89
2019-2020*	6	$53,295.56

* Projects still in process of completion

 

The grants approved by the Downtown Management District (DMD) Board of Directors at its January 28, 2021 Board Meeting include the following:

 A property at 601 Texas Avenue, and owned by Stanton Street Development, was approved for $8,510.75 in Pedestrian Corridor Improvement Grant funds. The estimated total project cost is $21,966.50. Planned corridor improvements on include: demolition of existing sidewalk and the installation of rebar, expansion points and new concrete.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A property at 533 West Franklin Avenue, and owned by Fire Emoji, LLC, was approved for $25,000 in Commercial Façade Improvement Grant funds. Formerly known as the Blackbird Cantina, the estimated total project cost is $50,300.

Planned improvements on the property include, but are not limited to: installation of front pergola footings and steel, brick exterior and tile, new entrance framing, stucco, paint, and the replacement of front doors and windows. Fire Emoji, LLC was also approved for $8,975 in Signature Signage and Lighting Grant funds for the same property with a total project cost of $25,400.

Improvements will include electrical and color changing lighting on tower, pergola lighting and pendants, brass wall blade signage, lighting fixtures and electrical.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A property at 1031 Texas Avenue and owned by LFG Global, LLC., was approved for $22,382.50 in Commercial Façade Improvement Grant funds. The estimated total project cost is $50,975. Planned improvements include: cinder block demolition for new storefront, new storefront and glazing, repairing of exterior plaster, and paint building exterior.

Signature Signage and Lighting Grant funds in the amount of $13,450 were approved for the same property on a 1:1 match with total project cost estimated at $26,900. Planned improvement to include: reinforcing rooftop Firestone sign structure, refurbishment of rooftop Firestone neon sign, and exterior lighting package.

 Grant applications are considered on a first come, first served basis while funding is available. Due to recent activity, only approximately $30,000 remains available for future grants.

Property and/or business owners interested in applying for funding can go online or call Terry Mais, 915-400-2295 for more information.