Urban Renewal Grant Program

The Urban Renewal Grant Program is administered by the Dallas Urban Renewal Agency to invest directly in buildings located within the Dallas Urban Renewal District. The program is intended to advance the Dallas Downtown Urban Renewal Plan by supporting projects that strengthen downtown cohesion, encourage pedestrian-oriented retail, commercial, and residential activity, improve compatibility with the historic architectural character of Dallas’ Central Business District, increase employment and business activity, and expand the tax base in downtown and throughout the Urban Renewal District. Funding is available for eligible building and site-related improvements within the Urban Renewal District. Eligible construction-related uses include exterior facade alteration, replacement, or repair, windows and doors, structural safety work required by a building official, fire marshal, or Oregon-licensed architect or engineer, critical utility infrastructure such as plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and HVAC, roof reconstruction, awnings or other pedestrian weather protection, new construction or structure additions, seismic upgrades requiring a structural permit, interior structural improvements, and ADA improvements to entryways, exits, restroom facilities, and elevators. Technical assistance funding may support hiring a certified and licensed contractor, architect, or design professional to design an eligible project. The program has two funding types. Construction grants require a minimum project amount of $10,000 and may provide up to $25,000 with a 50 percent matching requirement. Technical assistance grants require a minimum project amount of $1,000 and may provide up to $5,000 with a 25 percent matching requirement. Grant funds are reimbursement-only and will not be advanced. Expenses incurred before the funding agreement is signed by both the applicant and the City Manager are not eligible for reimbursement. Applicants must be the property owner or an authorized representative of the property owner, such as a contractor, architect, or tenant. Projects must be located within the Dallas Urban Renewal Area, the property must not be tax exempt, and the building and its tenants must have necessary permits to operate if occupied. Single-family homes are not eligible unless being converted to commercial use. Multifamily projects may be eligible if they meet zoning requirements for the Central Business District. A property owner may receive only one construction grant and one technical assistance grant per fiscal year, and owners of multiple properties may apply for only one property in a fiscal year. Applications must be submitted through the online portal on the City’s website. Required materials include the completed online application form, compliance with applicable building design standards, a completed funding form, a completed expense form, a property owner authorization letter, at least one bid from a licensed contractor or design professional, and any applicable documentation showing that proposed work is required for building safety and occupancy. Optional support letters from neighboring businesses, local nonprofits, or other community stakeholders may also be submitted. If an application is incomplete, staff will notify the applicant by email, and the applicant will have 15 days from notification to provide missing materials. Applications are reviewed after the application window closes. The Grant Administrator compiles applications and provides them to a scoring committee consisting of at least two City of Dallas staff members and at least one Urban Renewal District Advisory Committee member. Technical assistance applications must score at least 50 points, and construction applications must score at least 75 points. Construction applications must also score at least 30 points from the Building Improvements and Economic Impact on Downtown categories. Qualifying applications undergo departmental review and are then presented to the Urban Renewal Agency for review and approval. The Agency may approve full awards, partial awards, or impose conditions based on scores and available funding. The current application window closes June 9, 2026 at 5PM. The application window is six weeks and begins no later than May 15 each year. If funding remains after the first application period, the Grant Administrator may open another six-week application period. Approved applicants must sign the funding agreement within 30 days of award notification, and projects must be completed within 12 months of signing the agreement. Up to two 60-day extensions may be requested in writing at least 15 days before the completion deadline. Charlie Mitchell, Economic & Community Development Director, is listed as the contact and can be reached at 503.831.3565.

Review the scoring rubric before applying. Construction projects should be transformative and must meet both the 75-point minimum and at least 30 points from Building Improvements and Economic Impact on Downtown. Emphasize pedestrian-oriented uses, new or needed downtown uses, high-quality design, historic compatibility when applicable, and clear contribution to downtown economic vitality.