Lehighton is accepting applications for a facade grant program to incentivize property owners to enhance the appearance of their buildings.

Borough Manager Dane DeWire informed borough council last week that the borough will continue to process them until the application window closes on Feb. 16.

DeWire said once the application window closes, the Facade Grant Committee will determine how the funding will be distributed and will present their distribution plan to the remainder of council for final approval at a regularly scheduled council meeting.

He said applicants will be notified of funding determination in the spring.

Last month, borough council passed a resolution to create the program guidelines, determine the application process, and administer funding to grant recipients.

In August, council adopted a Facade Grant Committee. Council members Autumn Abelovsky, Rebecca Worthy and then-Councilman Ryan Saunders previously agreed to serve on the facade grant committee. Saunders was appointed last month by borough council as the new mayor of the borough.

DeWire said state Sen. David Argall and state Rep. Doyle Heffley previously awarded the borough $250,000 in April for downtown facade work for beautification.

He said at that time that the application and project criteria are that qualifying projects are limited to commercial properties in zoning districts C1, C2 and C3 in the borough.

DeWire said qualifying projects would be limited to building facades that directly face a borough street or a public right of way.

He added that qualifying projects will be limited to building facade improvements such as siding, paint, brickwork, windows, doors, porches, signs, and awnings.

Sidewalks, roofing, or landscaping are not applicable projects for funding. Previously completed projects are not applicable projects for funding.

The building owner must complete and submit an application to qualify for funding.

Only one application may be submitted per registered mailing address, and current photographs of the building facade must accompany all applications to qualify for funding.

Applicants must be in good standing with local taxes, utility bills and code enforcement to qualify for funding, DeWire said.

One or more formal estimates from a licensed contractor must accompany all applications to qualify for funding.

Projects up to $10,000 require at least one written estimate from a licensed contractor.

Projects between $10,000 and $20,000 require at least three written estimates from licensed contractors.

Projects over $20,000 require at least one written estimate and will be put out for public bid.

The contract will be awarded to a bidder at the discretion and vote of council.

There is no guarantee that the contractor who produced the applicant’s original estimate will be awarded the contract for the project.

If multiple applications are received for the same parcel ID, and if the sum of those application estimates totals $20,000 or more, all projects at that parcel ID will be put out for public bid.

The contracts will be awarded to bidders at the discretion and vote of council. There is no guarantee that the contractors who produced the applicant’s original estimates will be awarded those contracts for the project.

A 10% funding match is required for all qualifying projects.

Applicants will receive 90% reimbursement following each formal invoice submitted to the borough from a licensed contractor, up to a maximum funding amount of $25,000.

All work must be completed and invoiced to the borough within one year from the date of the public notification of funding distribution.

If a project goes over budget or the scope of work changes, it will be at the discretion of council to provide additional funding.