Roanoke officials approve $43K for improvements to 4 businesses

The owners of four businesses in Roanoke asked the city council during its Oct. 22 meeting for $43,423 in grants and were approved.

The businesses are:

• Hawk 3 Construction: Received a $15,000 façade grant to help cover the costs for the installation of a metal beam patio.
• Aromas on Oak: Received $5,486 after owner Ryan Buck applied for a façade grant. The upgrades includes new signage and outdoor furniture.
• Chef's Kitchen: Applied for a façade grant amounting to $7,937 for improvements to the existing landscaping, the installation of garden planters and new planting materials along the western side of the building.
• Williams Drive In: Applied and received a $15,000 façade grant. The project includes major renovations to the exterior façade of the building, such as power washing, painting and the installation of metal and synthetic wood material for aesthetics.

What they’re saying

“It helps a small business,” Roanoke Mayor Scooter Gierisch said of the program. “It’s an incentive for a small business to continue to upgrade the look of their business because our city has continued to evolve and we’ve changed that look of our city.”

The backstory

In the city’s 2024-25 budget, officials allocated $75,000 to what’s called a façade grant program.

The program is part of the city’s Historic Downtown renovation and development efforts. As part of the program, Roanoke officials offer matching grants for businesses in the Oak Street corridor and on Byron Nelson Boulevard, according to city documents.

What else?

Now that the Roanoke City Council has approved these grants, there’s $31,576.12 left for other business owners who wish to participate in the façade grant program.

Additionally, city-wide historic sites and buildings can also be eligible for façade grants. The money can only be used on exterior portions of the businesses that are visible to the public.