"Beautifying Alameda" Grant
Beautify Your Community with Our Grant
“Beautifying Alameda” Grant Program
The Alameda Corridor Business Improvement District (ACBID) is proud to launch our “Beautifying Alameda” Grant Program! The program is designed to encourage exterior improvements to existing commercial buildings and properties in the West Alameda Area and produce positive, visible changes impacting the building location. The program goals are to help property owners fix up their properties and stimulate reinvestment in the Alameda Corridor.
Grant applications are analyzed on a case-by-case basis that examines the improvement’s visibility within the Alameda Corridor Business Improvement District, the level of participation by the commercial property owner and/or business owner, and project readiness.
Let's Get Started: Applying for the Grant
Eligibility Requirements
Basic Eligibility & Compliance
- Location & Entity: Open to commercial property owners, business owners, and nonprofits (including both individual properties and multi-tenant centers) located within the Alameda Corridor Business Improvement District (ACBID) boundaries.
- Licensing & Standing: Applicants must hold all necessary operating licenses and maintain active good standing with the City of Lakewood regarding taxes, fees, municipal codes, and financial obligations.
Grant Terms & Project Guidelines
- Funding & Reimbursement: Grants are competitive, up to $5,000 per property, subject to limited funding and ACBID Board discretion. Reimbursement occurs in the 2026 funding cycle for costs expended within one year of application.
- Project Alignment & Impact: Projects must demonstrate readiness, personal investment, visible improvements, and align with ACBID goals by impacting the financial, social, or environmental sustainability of the corridor.
- Timeline & Logistics: Formally apply within 2 weeks of receiving the eligibility letter/application link. Once approved, work must begin within 2 weeks, and reimbursement must be requested before year-end.
- Pre-Approval Policy: Work in progress or performed before a complete application is both submitted and formally approved is ineligible.
- CPTED Report & Assessment: A Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) report from the Lakewood Police Department and joining Business Watch is highly recommended but not necessary for the Beautifying Alameda grant.
Potential Improvements
- 👨🎨 Upgrade the Look: Curb appeal means enhancing the visible surfaces of the building to create immediate visual impact and establish a clean, clear public identity. Other examples include improving building facades and murals or other public art.
- 🚪 Fix the Basics: Highly functional, structurally sound structural components such as windows and doors contribute to the overall polished appearance.
- 🌸 Improve the Site: Upgrades to ground-level areas, including pedestrian access, vehicle areas, or green space to support the site’s functionality and curb appeal.
FAQs: Beautifying Alameda Business Grant Ideas 💡
What are some ideas to upgrade the look with curb appeal?
Curb appeal means enhancing the primary visible surfaces of the building to create immediate visual impact and establish a clean, clear public identity. The following projects are eligible under this category:
|
|
What are some ideas to fix the basics of structure and safety?
Highly functional, structurally sound structural components such as windows and doors contribute to the overall polished appearance.
|
|
What are some ideas to improve the site with access and functionality?
Upgrades to ground-level areas, including pedestrian access, vehicle areas, green space support the site’s functionality and curb appeal.
- Landscaping/Streetscaping improvements such as planters, benches, containers, and bike racks.
- Sidewalk repair and/or replacement, ideally stamped or decorative brick work.
- Parking lot improvements like re-paving or re-striping of parking lots, de-paving for landscaping, creating buffer zones, garage enclosures, and lighting.
- Improving ADA accessibility.
- Security lighting and cameras (excluding monitoring contract).
What You Will Need If Your Property Is Deemed Eligible
Item 1: Plan Your Project & Tell Your Story
- Write a description: Explain what you plan to do, why it is needed, and make sure your written scope matches your contractor’s estimate.
- Show your vision: Collect or create pictures or drawings that will help us clearly understand the project.
- Create a budget: List out all expected project costs.
Item 2: The Easy Part!
- 8 Min video: Watch the Lakewood Police Crime Prevention Resources video. (No cheating, there will be a test!)
- Join your Peers: Sign up for Lakewood Business Watch and screenshot the confirmation.
- Schmooze: Attend our Community Meeting on the first Wednesday of select months.
- Become a paid member of Alameda Connects (our 501c6): While properties (like yourself) within the Alameda Corridor Business Improvement District have a free Honorary Membership, a paid membership opens you up to additional perks.
- See Your Name in Lights!: Sign up for our Alameda enewsletter and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Item 3: Gather The Required Items
- Vulnerability Analysis: While it’s not required for a Beautifying Alameda grant, consider getting a Lakewood Crime Prevention through Environmental Design review.
- Contractor Estimate: Get at least one estimate from a licensed contractor.
- Tax ID: Find or look up your Lakewood Sales and Use Tax number.
- W-9 Form: Fill out a standard W-9 form.
- Bank Connection: Check your inbox and connect your bank by responding to our Intuit email invitation if you haven’t already.
- Permits: Begin applying for any required city permits.
Tips for Success
- Attend our monthly Community Meetings and events to be granted higher priority.
- Become a paid member of Alameda Connects!
- Prioritize the sustainability impact of the project.
- Ensure compatibility of the project with the ACBID Corridor goals/values.
- Match some of the investment with a cash match.
- Start work within two weeks of grant approval and submit for reimbursement before Dec 31, 2026.
- Assure long-term maintenance of the improvements, such as a signed maintenance plan agreement, and commitment to the Alameda location and to participation in Business Watch.
Let Us Help You! Don’t let this list feel overwhelming! We are more than happy to talk you through these requirements once you are determined to be eligible.
Send an email to acteam@alamedaconnects.org and we will hustle on over!
What Our Grant Recipients Say
“We were very excited to receive our Alameda Connects grant! Our exterior sign blade had our logo from 7 years ago on it, so we updated it to our “new” one to make our branding more uniform. We also got a sandwich board where we can have quotes of inspiration. We have had multiple shares of this on social media. This not only makes people feel inspired, but it also gives us more visibility.”
Valerie Savarie, Owner
Valkarie Gallery
“We used our grant to upgrade the façade of our property facing Alameda with new LED architectural sconces. The new light improved our curb appeal, added illumination to the area, and helped us achieve our energy efficiency goals.”
Max de La Bruyere, Owner
Lafayette Property Company
Express Your Interest in a "Beautifying Alameda" Grant Today!
Don’t miss this opportunity to request funding for your project. At Alameda Connects, we’re here to support your growth and innovation.
One of many Alameda Connects Grants
Alameda Connects aims to empower local organizations and businesses by providing financial support for projects that enrich the community. Our goal is to cultivate a vibrant and sustainable environment in Lakewood, Colorado, by funding initiatives that align with our mission of community engagement and development. For over 20 years, the Alameda Connects Grant Programs have been dedicated to nurturing the heart of Lakewood.
Between Alameda Connects and the Alameda Corridor Business Improvement District, we have numerous grants built around the themes of beautification, sustainability, security, and community development. We strive to support projects that address community needs, promote inclusivity, and foster a sense of belonging.
Signup to hear about all the latest activities along the Alameda Corridor!