GENERAL PURPOSE
For the purpose of this policy, Historic Downtown shall be defined as an area bordered by: 

• Belt Line Rd. to the North 
• DART rail right-of-way to the East 
• Vandergriff to the South 
• IH-35E to the West

The Program is sponsored by the City to attract retail uses (including restaurants, retail and office uses) to Historic Downtown. It provides for financial incentives to retail facilities for enhancements and/or redevelopment. Improvements must enhance the taxable value of the property related to the other facilities and surrounding development. Each application is determined on a case by case approach, and approval of any project is not guaranteed. Nothing herein shall imply or suggest that the City of Carrollton is precluded from considering other options which would further the best interests of the City.

This is a matching grant program based on an agreement providing performance conditions. The City may elect to make a grant in an amount up to 100% of the cost of the improvements (refer to eligible expenses below). Such grant shall not exceed $1 million of public funds for each grantee. Improvement Costs shall include costs related to improvements which are permanent and fixed to the building or Property and are necessary to improve the building for the approved use, including, but not limited to facade improvements. 

ACCEPTABLE CATEGORIES OF IMPROVEMENTS / ELIGIBLE EXPENSES

• Rent assistance for a limited time 
• Interior and exterior finish costs 
• Site Improvements
• Development costs 
• Upgrade or enhanced landscaping improvement costs 
• Signage upgrade costs 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR ELIGIBLE RETAIL FACILITIES

• The commercial facility must be located in Downtown Carrollton (as defined above)
• The commercial facility must be older than twenty (20) years
• The reinvestment project must positively impact surrounding development

APPLICATION AND APPROVAL PROCESS

• An application for incentive must be submitted to the City's Office of Development Services. The application should include a detailed description of the project including renderings or drawings of the finished project, a project budget including sources of funds, project timetable (if applicable) and a copy of the lease agreement.
• Project review of each application is required by staff including appropriate comments and recommendations for changes prior to submission to the City Council TOD Committee.
• All applications will be reviewed by the City Council TOD Committee. Applicants may be asked to present their project before the TOD Committee and any modifications to the application will be made prior to forwarding the application to the full City Council with a recommendation for approval or denial.
• City Council will review the recommendation of the City Council TOD Committee and vote to either approve or deny the grant application.
• Grant incentives will consist primarily of cash payments as outlined in an incentive agreement to be entered into between the City and the applicant receiving the grant.