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Round Rock’s Commercial Facade and Site Improvement Grant program has been updated, expanding eligibility to additional commercial corridors in an effort to encourage redevelopment and business investment.
Round Rock City Council unanimously approved the revisions March 26.
The full story
The program, originally adopted in 2023, provides matching grants to property owners to improve the exterior of commercial buildings.
City officials said the latest update focuses on expanding the geographic boundaries to include more properties along Mays Street and Round Rock Avenue.
“The Commercial Facade Improvement Program is focused on improving the exteriors of commercial buildings ... to make them more economically viable and visually appealing,” said Joe Brehm, the city’s director of community and neighborhood services.
The specifics
Under the updated plan, eligible areas now include the full Mays Street corridor—connecting previously separated northern and southern segments—as well as Round Rock Avenue from Deepwood Drive to the I-35 southbound frontage road.
The grant program offers a 50-50 cost match, with a minimum project investment of $5,000 and a maximum reimbursement of $100,000.
Eligible improvements include exterior upgrades such as paint, signage, lighting, landscaping and facade materials, while interior work and routine maintenance are not covered.
To qualify, applicants must be current on property taxes and cannot have active code enforcement violations, although city staff said the program can help property owners address certain issues.
“If it’s in the program boundary ... I can reach out to the property owner, say, ‘Well, I noticed you got this code violation. Did you know about our grant program that might help you take care of that?’” Brehm said.
Since its launch, the program has awarded about $215,000 in grants, helping generate roughly $292,560 in total private investment, according to city officials.
Brehm said the program has already prompted additional redevelopment interest, including a potential mixed-use project at one participating shopping center.
“That demonstrates an additional benefit of the program,” he said.
City leaders said expanding the program’s boundaries is aimed at building on that momentum, particularly in high-visibility commercial corridors and downtown-adjacent areas.
The resolution updating the program leaves all other terms unchanged and took effect immediately upon approval.
