The program provides financial incentives that enable property owners, small businesses, developers and mission-aligned organizations to activate the economic potential of vacant property, reoccupy vacant buildings, enhance existing buildings, bring new jobs, services and amenities to the corridors, and improve their aesthetics.
Through a mix of capital improvement grants and performance-based incentives, the program prioritizes outcomes such as job creation, business relocation or expansion, adaptive reuse, and high-impact renovations, while emphasizing sustainability and neighborhood compatibility. The application deadline is 5 p.m. EST Friday, June 12, 2026.
Eligible parcels are located on the Eighth Avenue and Waldo Road corridor. Refer to the map below to determine if your parcel is located within the program boundary. Type the address of your property in the search box and see if it is within the program boundary.
The Business & Community Facility Renovation Incentive is designed to help business and property owners modernize and improve existing commercial and institutional buildings along the Eighth Avenue and Waldo Road corridors. Many of these structures face challenges such as outdated systems, poor accessibility, or visible deterioration that limit their functionality and appeal. The program targets underutilized or deteriorating properties that, once improved, can help catalyze economic revitalization, support job creation and retain or attract business activity.
Apply Now
* Download the checklist to see the documents you will need to have for the application
* Download the complete application
* Apply online for the Business & Community Facility Program
Funding Structure
Grant amounts are based on the square footage of the structure:
- Buildings ≤ 5,000 sq. ft.: Up to $50,000
- Buildings > 5,000 sq. ft.: Up to $100,000
Applicants are required to have a 1:1 private match (i.e., to receive a grant award of $50,000, the applicant must provide a matching contribution of $50,000).
Eligible Uses Include:
- Major interior renovation and buildout for business-ready space
- Electrical, HVAC, plumbing and fire suppression upgrades
- Structural stabilization, roof replacement and foundation repair
- ADA improvements (e.g., bathrooms, ramps, elevators)
- Fire suppression or code compliance upgrades
- Façade improvements when integrated with the interior scope
- Demising walls or partitions for tenant-ready space
- Located on the identified interested parcels
Ineligible Uses Include:
- Maintenance or cosmetic-only projects
- Projects without clear commercial use or public access
- Work performed before grant approval
- Residential-only properties (more than 50% residential by square footage)
- Exterior work (covered under the Site Improvement Grant)
- Equipment, furniture, or inventory purchases
- Government-owned properties or political institutions
- Work by unlicensed contractors
Apply for the Business & Community Facility Renovation Grant
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted by Friday, June 12, 2026 at 5 p.m. EST. Applications may be submitted in person, by mail or online.
The Site Improvement Grant is a use and location-specific grant dedicated to enhancing the exterior conditions of some properties along the project area. This grant is intended for a defined set of uses, such as fencing, lighting, landscaping, and accessibility upgrades, that visibly improve the site’s public interface and contribute to a safer, more attractive streetscape.
Apply Now
* Download the checklist to see the documents you will need to have for the application
* Download the complete application
* Apply online for the Site Improvement Program
Funding Structure
Maximum Grant Amount: $20,000
Applicants are required a 1:1 private match (i.e., to get a grant award of $20,000 the applicant would need to match with $20,000).
Eligible Uses Include:
- Fencing and decorative screening (front or side yards only)
- Exterior lighting visible from the public right-of-way
- ADA accessibility upgrades (ramps, parking, striping)
- Landscaping, hardscaping, and tree removal (may not exceed 25% of the total eligible project costs)
- Wayfinding or monument signage
- Drainage, paving, and stormwater-related site improvements
- Parking lot improvement: provide lighting, tree islands, curb stops, fencing, or other beautification initiatives related to the parking lots.
Ineligible Uses Include:
- Routine maintenance (e.g., mowing, weeding)
- Temporary features (e.g., string lights, movable furniture)
- Improvements to the rear of the property not visible to the public
- Interior or structural building improvements
- Signage unrelated to business identification or corridor branding
- Work started or completed before grant approval
Apply for the Site Improvement Grant
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted by Friday, June 12, 2026 at 5 p.m. EST. Applications may be submitted in person, by mail or online.
The Vacant Property Development Incentive is designed to stimulate new construction and long-term private investment on underutilized or vacant parcels within the program area. With nearly 40 parcels available, the program presents a unique opportunity to reshape the built environment, attract job-generating uses, and activate critical nodes.
Apply Now
* Download the checklist to see the documents you will need to have for the application
* Download the complete application
* Apply online for the Vacant Property Program
Funding Structure
There is no cap on the award, but it shall be based on the minimum amount of funding needed to make a project viable.
Applicants will need to submit a detailed development pro forma and demonstrate:
- Private financing commitments
- Lease or tenant commitments
- Conceptual site plans and architectural drawings
- Development and operating pro forma
- Regulatory compliance
- Projected economic impacts (e.g., jobs created, employee wages, taxable value)
- Pre- and post-development property appraisals
- Community and neighborhood support
This incentive aims to mitigate development risk by providing financial support for projects that demonstrate strong market feasibility, community value, and alignment with GCRA’s strategic objectives. Priority will be given to ready-to-start projects that include commercial or mixed-use development, affordable commercial space, or key public-serving functions. The city reserves the right to hire a third-party consultant to analyze the application submission, evaluate impacts, and review any proposed deal structure.
Applicants must demonstrate private investment that meets or exceeds a 1:1 factor relative to the public incentive award; for example, $80,000 in private funds for an $80,000 award.
Eligible Uses Include:
- New construction of commercial or mixed-use buildings
- Substantial renovation of existing vacant structures
- Site preparation, grading, and infrastructure (i.e., water, sewer, electrical, streets, sidewalks, stormwater facilities.)
- ADA access improvements
- Architectural, engineering, and permitting costs (up to 10% of total)
- Façade and structural systems tied to the initial construction
- Essential interior building systems necessary for occupancy, including plumbing, electrical, natural gas, HVAC, and related structural or energy efficiency improvements.
- Demolition required for redevelopment
Ineligible Uses Include:
- Land acquisition costs
- Routine maintenance or landscaping
- Furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E)
- Residential-only developments
- Completed work
Apply for the Vacant Property Development Incentive
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted by Friday, June 12, 2026 at 5 p.m. EST. Applications may be submitted in person, by mail or online.
The Residential Façade Improvement Grant is intended to support homeowners and small-scale landlords in making exterior improvements that enhance the curb appeal, safety, and visual consistency of the NE Eighth Avenue corridor. These investments aim to reinforce neighborhood identity, increase pride in place, and encourage broader reinvestment by improving the visual experience along key travel and pedestrian routes.
Apply Now
* Download the checklist to see the documents you will need to have for the application
* Download the complete application
* Apply online for the Residential Facade Program
Funding Structure
Grants will be awarded based on the size of the residential structure:
- Homes up to 1,000 sq. ft.: up to $7,500
- Homes 1,001 to 1,500 sq. ft.: up to $10,000
- Homes over 1,500 sq. ft.: up to $12,000
No match is required for owner-occupied homes; investor-owned properties require a 50% match (i.e., to receive a grant award of $12,000, the applicant must provide a matching amount of $6,000).
Eligible Uses Include:
- Exterior painting and siding (including minor repairs necessary for the painting job to be completed; no upgrades will be approved)
- Porch, stair, and railing repairs or replacements
- Roof repair
- Window and door replacement
- Façade elements (e.g., shutters, trim, architectural details)
- Front-facing fencing or privacy screening
- Tree removal is necessary when it preserves the building
- An improvement that would require work on portions of the building that are invisible from the right way but need to be included to consider the project complete, e.g., painting, roofing
- Driveway or walkway upgrades (only if visible from the front)
Ineligible Uses Include:
- Interior improvements
- Routine maintenance (e.g., mowing, pressure washing)
- Work started or completed before grant approval
- Properties not located on identified parcels
Apply for the Residential Façade Improvement Grant
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted by Friday, June 12, 2026 at 5 p.m. EST. Applications may be submitted in person, by mail or online.
Business & Community Facility Program
Contact us
- Email us at GCRAprograms@gainesvillefl.gov
- Call the GCRA at 352-393-8200
- Make an appointment to review your application in person with a program manager
- We have a notary on site for your convenience
Need to confirm if your zoning allows a specific use? Ask a planner.
First-Step meetings offer free, convenient help to neighbors, business owners and developers seeking information on permitting and development. Learn more about these meetings.
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted by Friday, June 12, 2026 at 5 p.m. EST. Applications may be submitted in person, by mail or online.
Workshop #1
Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Location: Duval Elementary School (2106 NE Eighth Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32609)
Workshop #2
Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Location: Duval Elementary School (2106 NE Eighth Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32609)
Office Hours and Assistance
GCRA staff are available to answer questions, provide guidance on eligibility, and assist with the application process.
Office Hours (through June 5, 2026):
Days: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
Times: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m.
Location: 2153 SE Hawthorne Road, Suite 223, Gainesville, FL 32641
Please call 352-393-8200 ahead for an appointment or schedule online.
Printed application packets and program booklets are available for pickup at the GTEC office during regular business hours.