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Downtown Bay City Businesses Receive $25,000 in Façade Improvement Grants

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Bay City, Mich., November 10, 2021 – Downtown Bay City is excited to announce the completion of the 2021 Façade Improvement Grant program which awarded $25,000 to Downtown Bay City businesses. Four properties were awarded
grant funds and constructed over $60,000 in façade investments.

The Façade Improvement Grant was designed to incentivize property owners to undertake exterior property improvements which would then lead to a better utilization of properties within Downtown Bay City, Michigan. The intent was to support building projects that will help move the needle forward to a more aesthetically vibrant Downtown. It is a competitive, reimbursement grant program in which applicants were scored and awarded on identified metrics. Property owners and/or tenants were able to apply for up to 50% of their total exterior project costs, to a maximum of $10,000.

“I’m grateful for the façade grant program and the opportunities for enhancement it has provided for our DRI businesses. We continue to invest in Bay City because we believe in the community and we enjoy being a part of the Downtown Bay City entertainment and nightlife.” said Dave Dittenber, Owner of Downtown Restaurant Investments (DRI).

Downtown Restaurant Investments owns M2 BBQ which was awarded a grant to transform the exterior of their building at 207 Center Avenue from its previous business, American Kitchen. The ultimate goal of DRI in this investment was to attract more people to Downtown and the social districts made possible by Bay City Feet on the Street, in addition to adding a variety of dining options. The new façade provides the restaurant with a modern smokehouse aesthetic.

Downtown Restaurant Investments is also part owner of 1019 North Water Street, along with 3Mission, which received grant funding to remove the existing brown wooden façade. The new exterior is painted white brick and assists in creating a light, inviting establishment along with interior and waterfront renovations. The space is home to Drift Beer Garden, an upcoming lively food truck garden that will serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages indoors and provide food trailers outside.

The Tanner Building, owned by Genco Properties, at 109 Center Avenue received funding to replace its awnings. The building is home to Uptown Girl, Mulligan’s Pub, and has three Airbnb rental units. The transformation of the awnings revives the space which is highly visible throughout Downtown.

The final grant awardee was Platinum Bay Properties, LLC which owns 700 Washington Avenue. This high-visibility project has received attention as the 1960’s-era metal façade covering the second story has been completely removed.

The façade grant funding has assisted the building owner in completing a full remodel of this prominent and historic building. Once renovated, the building will include available office, retail, restaurant, and an open ballroom space.

A committee composed of Bay City Downtown Development Authority Board of Directors along with City of Bay City staff were responsible for the creation of program details, eligibility requirements, and selection of awardees. The committee includes Ashley Anderson, Two Men & a Truck; Mike Bacigalupo, State Theatre, Jean Ann DeShano, Re/Max Results; Sara Dimitroff, City of Bay City, Trevor Keyes, Bay Future, Inc.; Terry Moultane, City of Bay City; and Jeff Staudacher,
Edward Jones.

“It’s critical that we find unique ways to support private businesses in improving our Downtown and developing tools to encourage entrepreneurs to continue to invest their dollars locally. Most of the growth we’re seeing in Downtown Bay City comes from the pockets of private individuals and being able to support them in doing so is going to continue to have a
positive ripple effect,” said Trevor Keyes, President & CEO of Bay Future, Inc.

Funding for the 2021 Downtown Bay City Façade Improvement Program was made available by the Bay County Growth Alliance through the Bay Area Community Foundation. $25,000 of matching funds for the 2022 Program was approved yesterday, November 9, and applications will be accepted beginning January of 2022. Property owners in the Downtown Bay City DDA District interested in the program are encouraged to apply through the Downtown Bay City website.

The 2021 Downtown Bay City Façade Grant Report can be viewed here.
Established in 2004, Bay Future, Inc. is a public-private alliance of government, business, and other organizations that
support economic growth in Bay County, Michigan, and the Great Lakes Bay Region. Through the support of its investors,
Bay Future is working to execute Bay Future: Drive. Forward., a five-year plan to drive existing business and
entrepreneur development, new business recruitment and job growth, workforce initiatives, market available “shovel
ready” locations and sites, and both local and regional communication and collaboration. These strategies are all in an
effort to create quality jobs for community residents.
The Downtown Development Authority and the Downtown Management Board work to serve the community with events,
beautification, historic preservation and the creation and implementation of development plans within the district. The
Downtown Development Authority district, mirrored by the Downtown Management Board, is located on the east side of
the Saginaw River bounded by Woodside Avenue on the north, Madison Avenue on the east, Columbus Avenue on the
south and the Saginaw River on the west. The two boards are composed of a compassionate 19-member body with the
Mayor serving in an ex-officio capacity.

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