Streatery Improvement Grant

Streatery Improvement Grant Program

The GCRA’s Streatery Improvement Grant program will provide up to $50,000 per business address for public-facing improvements within an area generally bounded by West University Avenue, Southwest Second Avenue, South Main Street and Southwest Second Street. The competitive program is designed to extend the impact of the city’s investment in The Streatery to the surrounding district.

Read the approved program guide and framework

Read about The Streatery construction

This 50% reimbursable grant can help with projects like: Grant awards will cover 100% of the first $15,000 in eligible project costs, with a 50% match on additional costs and a $50,000 maximum award for projects that accrue $85,000 in eligible expenditures, such as the following:

• Enhancing storefronts

• Signage

• Windows and doors

• Exterior painting and masonry work

• Landscaping and planters

• Outdoor dining furniture and awnings

• Exterior lighting and utilities

• Accessibility features

Retroactive vs. Forward-Looking Expenses

The program allows reimbursement of eligible expenses incurred after March 1, 2026, and prior to the official program launch date (Sept. 4, 2026). Staff must clearly distinguish between retroactive (reimbursement) and forward-looking (pre-authorization) tracks during intake, as each follows a different verification and payment pathway.

Retroactive Expense Reimbursement 

Forward-Looking Expenses Reimbursement 

How much can you get?

Every eligible project receives full reimbursement for the first $15,000. Larger projects then receive a 50% match until the maximum $50,000 city award is reached at $85,000 in eligible project costs.

Funding levels are:

Program Boundary | Eligible Businesses

The Program area is the SW 1st Avenue “Streatery” corridor and the surrounding blocks, approximately bounded by: 

Businesses fronting on SW First Avenue score highest for proximity; the intersecting entry corridors (SW First Street, SW Second Street, South Main Street) and secondary frontages (West University Avenue) are also eligible.

Check the map below, adding your address in the search box to confirm you are within the boundary.

Necessary Documents | Get Started

In order to have a complete application, these are the documents you will need:

• Completed and signed application
• Current City of Gainesville Business Tax Receipt (BTR)
• Proof of clear title, including:

• No delinquent city utility accounts
• No code-enforcement violations 
• No judgments or liens (Add your parcel # in the Parcel ID section and search).

• Proof of property ownership or an executed lease
• Notarized owner consent form (tenant applicants only)
• One of the following:

• Forward-looking: One (1) written contractor estimate on company letterhead, itemized, with the contractor’s Florida license number. 
• Retroactive: Original dated invoice from the contractor/vendor on company letterhead; proof of full payment by the applicant (not a deposit or partial payment unless the scope was fully completed in phases)

• Color photographs of current conditions or photo documentation of completed improvements
• Signed and notarized applicant acknowledgment

Start an application

Businesses must be located within the program boundary area.

Read the Approved Program Guideline & Framework

Application deadline is Friday, Dec. 4 at 5 p.m.

   Streatery Improvement Grant Application(PDF, 2MB)

   Apply online

We welcome questions via GCRAprograms@gainesvillefl.gov or phone at 352-393-8200.

You may also make an appointment to meet with a program manager at our office, where we can help review your planned submittal in person.

Ready to apply? We have a notary on-site for your convenience.

Application Scoring Criteria 

S1 — Proximity to the Streatery

Maximum points: 25

• 25 points: Business storefront fronts on, or directly faces, SW First Avenue, including storefronts facing The Streatery from directly across an intersecting street.
• 15 points: Business is located at the intersection of SW First Avenue and one of the following streets: SW Second Street, South Main Street, or SW First Street.
• 10 points: Business is within the Program area on a secondary frontage (West University Avenue or South Main Street).
• 0 points: Business is outside the defined target geography

S2 — Facade & Visual Impact

Maximum points: 25

• 25 points: Restores a complete storefront system (windows, doors, glazing) or character-defining features of a building potentially eligible for listing in a downtown historic district.
• 15 points: Repairs or replaces at least one primary façade element (windows, doors, masonry or signage) visible from the public realm.
• 5 points: Visible improvement of limited scope (e.g., painting, cleaning, accent lighting).
• 0 points: Improvements are not visible from the public realm.

S3 — Outdoor Activation

Maximum points: 25

• 25 points: Creates a new outdoor dining, gathering, or public-facing commercial activation (e.g., a new outdoor seating area with tables, chairs, and serving or maître d' stations).
• 15 points: Expands or enhances existing outdoor activation (e.g., additional seating capacity, upgraded furnishings, enclosures).
• 5 points: Supports the outdoor experience indirectly (utility infrastructure, misting systems, awnings, or lighting without an associated seating component).
• 0 points: Project has no outdoor activation component.

S4 — Readiness

Maximum points: 15

• 15 points: Signed contractor bid or contract; required permits pulled or permit application submitted; work ready to commence within 30 days.
• 10 points: At least one written contractor bid; applicant confirms permit readiness; work can commence within 60 days.
• 5 points: Conceptual scope with contractor identified; work can commence within 90 days.
• 0 points: No contractor identified; speculative scope only.

S5 — Business Use

Maximum points: 10

• 10 points: Food and drink service, arts and entertainment, or other use that activates the Program area in the evening and on weekends.
• 5 points: General public-serving use with primarily daytime hours of operation (e.g., retail).
• 0 points: Use serves specific clients or customers rather than the general public or does not encourage activation of the Program area.

S6 — Leveraged Private Investment

Maximum points: 20

• 20 points: Applicant private funds cover 40% or more of the total eligible project cost.
• 10 points: Applicant private funds cover 20% to 39% of the total eligible project cost.
• 5 points: Applicant private funds cover 1% to 19% of the total eligible project cost.
• 0 points: Project is fully grant-funded with no applicant investment (Tier 1 only).

S7 — Accessibility (ADA) Improvements

Maximum points: 15

• 15 points: Scope brings the primary entrance and approach into ADA/Florida Building Code compliance (e.g., exterior ramp, automatic door opener, threshold transition to the new curbless grade).
• 8 points: Scope includes a partial accessibility enhancement (e.g., tactile warning surface, accessible route improvement, accessible parking restriping)
• 0 points: Scope includes no accessibility component.

Total possible score: 135 points

SIG Program FAQs