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Administered by The Ardmore Initiative and Lower Merion Township With Funding through the Pa. Department of Community and Economic Development and the Montgomery County Revitalization Program

The objective of the program is to encourage the architecturally appropriate design of commercial building facades to enhance their appearance. Funds will serve as an incentive to stimulate private investment in façade renovations. It is anticipated that this effort will result in a more competitive and economically viable business district.

Any property within the Ardmore Initiative business district boundaries is eligible for this program. The East-West boundaries of  the business district extend from Wyoming Avenue and 333 W. Lancaster Avenue on the western end to 233 E. Lancaster and 218 E. Lancaster Avenue on the eastern end. The northern boundary follows the railroad tracks and the southern boundary proceeds along Rittenhouse Place to E. Athens Avenue, which is included in the district, and along Cricket Avenue beyond E. Athens Avenue to #123. The commercial properties along the west side of Ardmore Avenue to #26 are also part of the district.

The County Revitalization Program has awarded a grant of $120,000 to fund matching grants of up to $20,000  substantial façade renovations. The Ardmore Initiative has also received $50,000  from DCED, to fund matching grants of up to $5,000 per project.

Grant funds may be made available to either business or property owners. Grant amounts will be determined as follows:

The total grant may not exceed 50 percent of the total documented cost of materials and labor for the project.

Only commercial buildings within the defined Business District Authority's target area are eligible (see program boundaries above).

Only exterior renovations - either partial or full façade renovations - are eligible.

These renovations may include the front façade or any side or rear façade which is accessible and/or visible from a public right-of-way or municipally-owned, metered parking lot. The committee will entertain requests for additional façades which are, in the opinion of the committee, visually significant.

Funding for the project must be in place before an application for the Façade Improvement Program grant funds can be made.

Both business and property owners may apply. Property owners must be the owners of record on the Lower Merion Township tax rolls. Business owners will need the signed approval of the property owner of record.

Owners of properties must be current on all municipal taxes, including but not limited to real estate taxes, school taxes, and The Ardmore Initiative assessments, and have no liens filed against their properties in Lower Merion Township.

The project application must be approved by the Design Committee prior to any demolition or construction of that part of the project for which funding is being sought. No funding will be provided for work completed before the approval process.

The project must meet the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, comply with applicable Township codes and conform to the Commercial District Design Guidelines authored by Kise, Franks, and Straw and accepted by Lower Merion Township in 1991. (A summary of these Guidelines is included with this brochure. A copy of the complete guidelines is available in the office of Ardmore 2000.)

Within the Historic District of Ardmore's business district, façade renovations require the approval of Lower Merion's Historical Architectural Review Board. Approval from HARB is an additional requirement for funding for the 77 commercial properties included within the Historic District.

1. Business or property owner submits application (enclosed) to Ardmore 2000, including project description and design plan, drawings or photographs, and contractor/material cost estimates.

2. The The Ardmore Initiative BDA Design Committee will evaluate applications and award conditional approval based on fund availability and impact of the overall project. Notification of approval or disapproval will be made within 2 weeks of Design Committee evaluation.

3. The proposed scope of any work visible from the public right of way will be submitted to the HARB by the property owner, if applicable.

4. Applicants are required to obtain at least 2 quotes from qualified contractors. The scope of work and the contractor responses must be documented and a copy provided to Ardmore 2000. Permits are required for all projects and all contractors must be licensed by Lower Merion Township. Any changes to the design plan originally approved by the The Ardmore Initiative BDA Design Committee must be re-submitted for approval.

5. After work is completed, reimbursement of 50% of labor and material cost (up to the $5,000 maximum) is contingent upon: Adherence to the design plan and/or project which was reviewed and approved by the The Ardmore Initiative BDA Design Committee; Completion of final inspections (as required) by the Lower Merion Township Building and Planning Department. Documentation submitted to The Ardmore Initiative of payment to contractor (invoices and cancelled checks).