Storefront and streetscape improvements are one of the most effective ways of enhancing the image of individual businesses and the community. Kenai has many older commercial buildings that would greatly benefit from an updated storefront.
The Storefront and Streetscape Improvement Program is intended to encourage and motivate local businesses to reinvest in Kenai by sharing the costs of storefront and streetscape improvement projects.
Council Member Deborah Sounart supports the improvement project’s potential to beautify Kenai.
“That would benefit our small local businesses. It is somewhat of a beautification program. Our city desperately needs that. I mean you look around even just across the street here at the post office, it’s bare. You know all of our beautiful spruce trees that have died; now that have been cut down are going away and what is exposing is older Kenai buildings that are 30/40/50 years old. If somebody could take advantage of this program, whether it’s storefront windows or an entrance walkway that would accommodate a wheelchair ramp, getting into a business that is older, I think that would be very advantageous. A few things in our older town that I really think that this program could benefit.”
A thriving commercial center is a pivotal aspect of the economic vitality in Kenai. By investing with city businesses, the City of Kenai will eventually see an economic return of increased sales tax, resulting in long-term economic health and stability, amongst other benefits.
Kenai Planning Director Linda Mitchell commented on the time frame and process to secure funds.
“Understanding the urgency of this program Understanding the urgency of this program. Once it’s enacted, staff will have a website ready and we’ll put a website and a time frame. Having conversations with the city manager on what’s an appropriate time frame. And within that window of submitting, I’m hoping with a week or two week turn around to review depending on how many we have. I’m getting twenty, then that obviously may take more time. The goal is to expedite this as quickly as possible because I know construction season is starting so I definitely have this as a high priority.”
This program has the potential to begin developing a more aesthetic atmosphere to the spruce tree mitigated and denuded city.
This program will provide a matching fund source for existing businesses that may require financial assistance to renovate or update storefronts and streetscape up to $10,000. The funds, in amount of $50,000 have been allocated from the General Fund to fund the program.
Participants will be selected based upon submission of a written application on a city form which includes the scope of work, proposed budget for the project, description of how the project will improve the current storefront and streetscape and the lasting impact of the improvement on the overall economic health of the Kenai business community and residents.