Leggett and Department of Housing and Community Affairs Celebrate Success of Burtonsville Commercial Revitalization Program

For Immediate Release: Saturday, October 7, 2017

Today, County Executive Ike Leggett celebrated the completion of several significant façade improvement projects in Burtonsville. Leggett was joined by County Council President Roger Berliner, Councilmembers Nancy Floreen, Tom Hucker and George Leventhal, Department of Housing & Community Affairs (DHCA) Director Clarence Snuggs, local business owners, community representatives and residents.

 

Held in front of 15500 Old Columbia Pike, the celebration highlighted the Façade Improvement Program (FIP) managed by DHCA’s Neighborhood Revitalization Section. The FIP encourages commercial property owners to update and enhance their property exteriors by offering up to a 50 percent reimbursement of costs for exterior building and site improvements, typically in exchange for a 15-year easement which controls the property’s exterior appearance.

 

“I commend the County’s Department of Housing and Community Affairs on the success of their Façade Improvement Program (FIP),” said Leggett. “The transformed facades we see here today in Burtonsville are more appealing for businesses, residents and visitors and reflect our goals of supporting healthy, sustainable communities and a strong and vibrant economy.”

 

FIP projects may include building facade cleaning and exterior revitalization; new exterior signs, canopies, doors, windows and paint; new building and parking lot lighting; sidewalks and parking lot repaving and striping; new retail center signage, including required electrical work; select architectural services; new and updated landscaping; and, project-related demolition.

DHCA’s Neighborhood Revitalization Section worked with three property owners as part of the Burtonsville Commercial Revitalization Program: Katz & Company Property Management; Site Realty Group; and, family-owned Seibel’s Restaurant.  Nearly twenty businesses in leased or owned space benefitted from the improvements.  DHCA has implemented a similar façade improvement program in Colesville, which is ongoing.

“We are very proud of our Façade Improvement Program and the visible, lasting benefits it provides to the property owners, businesses and the surrounding communities,” said Snuggs. “We look forward to replicating this program to enhance other commercial properties around the County.”

DHCA’s Architectural Review Committee provides input and approval of proposed design improvements for FIP projects.  The Committee is comprised of three architects, two from the County and one a community member. Property owners must secure necessary permits and complete and manage construction activities to implement improvements.  DHCA requires invoices and proof of payment for all work performed before reimbursements are made.

For more information about the Façade Improvement Program, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dhca or call 240-777-3644.

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Release ID: 17-439
Media Contact: Lorraine Driscoll 240.777-6507, Kristina Ellis 240.777.3644