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Grants to beautify businesses

Grants of $500 to $3,000 are available to spruce up businesses in a designated redevelopment area.

By ANNE LINDBERG
Published September 11, 2005

PINELLAS PARK - Business owners in the redevelopment area who have long wanted to spruce up can get a bit of help from the city under a new beautification program.

The facade grant program is funded by tax money set aside from businesses and apartment buildings in the redevelopment area.

The money has been set aside to be reinvested to improve the redevelopment area, which covers the three-block area on both sides of Park Boulevard and 49th Street. The Park Boulevard limits are at U.S. 19 and just west of 66th Street N. The 49th Street section extends from 62nd Avenue N to 86th Avenue N.

The goal, said city planning director Bob Bray, is not only to spruce up Pinellas Park, but also to help the city develop its own character and identity.

"They're going to create their own sense of place," Bray said.

The city does not want to force a certain look, but business owners who are searching for ideas might get them from looking at the city's Park Station building at the railroad tracks on Park Boulevard.

Another good project to look at is across from Park Station and a bit to the west, Bray said. That is a center of doctors' offices with lush tropical landscaping.

Business owners who want to apply for the grant, which ranges from $500 to $3,000, need to get three bids and submit plans and drawings to show what's planned.

Bray said the drawings and plans are the same as those required for building permits, so business owners will not have to develop something special to receive the grant. The business owner must also take before and after pictures of the project.

[Last modified September 11, 2005, 01:12:29]