From time to time, visitors and citizens of Farmville have witnessed changes being made to the exterior of buildings in the downtown business district. Awnings, which provide shelter from the sun or rain in addition to adding visual appeal, have been replaced or added. Windows have been replaced. Exteriors have been painted. Many of these improvements were possible because of funding provided by the Farmville Downtown Partnership's Facade Improvement Grant Program, which has been funded primarily with the proceeds of Farmville's annual St. Patrick's Day Auction.

The architectural quality of Farmville's downtown area is important to the entire town, its history, image and economy. Proper improvements to the exterior appearances of individual buildings will help develop the appropriate image. Therefore, it is important that an organized and coordinated approach to exterior improvements be followed in the downtown area.

The Farmville Downtown Partnership developed the Facade Improvement Grant Program with guidelines to provide this coordianted approach. The guidelines should be followed for exterior improvements to or rehabilitation of buildings in the downtown business district. These guidelines also will be used by the Farmville Downtown Partnership in approving Facade Improvement Grant requests for projects in the downtown business district. The downtown business district is defined as having set the north-south boundaires between the railroad tracks on Main Street and Horne Avenue and the east-west boundaires between George and Contentnea Streets.

The purpose of the Facade Improvement Grant Program is to provide an economic incentive to renovate building facades in Downtown Farmville, encourage good design projects that capitalize on the rehabilitation of existing properties paired with the introduction of complementary new design and to preserve the unique historic character of Downtown Farmville.

Examples of projects eligible for funding include:

    - Cleaning of brick store fronts
    - Painting
    - Repair/replacement of non-historic doors and.or windows
    - Installation of approved awnings
    - Re-pointing of bricks
    - Structural repairs
    - Installation of appropriate signs as part of an overall project
    - Authentic reconstruction and replacement of original architectural details
    - Removal of false fronts; pressure washing (subject to approval by the Facade Grant Committee)

In order to apply for a facade grant, applicants must be a member in good standing of The Chamber of Commerce for the current year and agree to pay membership dues for three consecutive years following the awarding of the grant. For more detailed information about or to pick up the application package for the Facade Improvement Grant Program, call the Farmville Chamber of Commerce/Downtown Partnership at 252-753-4670 or visit the office in The May Musuem and Park at 3802 South Main Street.