Aurora Facade Program Draws Investment

(photo courtesy Indiana Landmarks)

Listen to this story

Subscriber Benefit

As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now

This audio file is brought to you by

0:00

0:00

Loading audio file, please wait.

Speed
1.00

• 0.25
• 0.50
• 0.75
• 1.00
• 1.25
• 1.50
• 1.75
• 2.00

A facade improvement grant program launched last year in Aurora has drawn significant investment for the city’s downtown. Indiana Landmarks says, since the program’s introduction, more than $200,000 has been raised for various properties, including commercial buildings, residences and one church.

The grants allow for various facade repairs and upgrades, including small projects such as painting or awning replacement or complete facade makeovers. Indiana Landmarks says the Aurora program has also generated additional funding through the work of Main Street Aurora earning a $10,000 downtown enhancement grant with a $10,000 match.

"The improvements definitely had a snowball effect, as one improvement led to another and another throughout the historic downtown," said Nancy Fahey Turner, executive director of Main Street Aurora. "Even building owners not participating in the program jumped on the bandwagon." 

In addition, Main Street Aurora has made 14 grants to downtown projects, which totaled more than $72,000 in additional funds, according to Indiana Landmarks.