Two Business Owners Take Advantage of Maxwell Avenue Façade Grant Program

January 30, 2006

Greenwood, SC – A rebirth of Maxwell Avenue continues in Uptown Greenwood as property owners and the Uptown Greenwood Development Corporation (UGDC) work to revitalize one of Uptown’s major corridors.

Attorney James Johnson and Salon Allora owner Shelby Mason are the latest property owners to take advantage of a one-time Maxwell Avenue Façade Improvement grant program established by UGDC.   The program offers a grant of up to $500 to encourage property owners or tenants to renovate or restore building facades on Maxwell Avenue within the Uptown Special Tax District.  A total of five Maxwell Avenue businesses have now taken advantage of the program that was implemented in 2004.

Johnson, who owns the Johnson Law Building located at 128 Maxwell with his wife Lettie J. Johnson, sandblasted the exterior brick of the building in an effort to bring the façade back to its original look when the building was built in 1905.  New navy awning and lettering were added to the building.  Johnson also completed extensive interior renovations to the building including the addition of office space for two additional attorneys, conference rooms, and a law library. 

Mason, who opened her salon studio located at 126 Maxwell Avenue in 2003, purchased the building in June of 2005.  Her façade improvements included the removal of the entrance door, casing, and window.  She added a new French door and window, new casing around the entire storefront, and new black trim molding.   Mason also completed extensive interior improvements.

Applicants of the Uptown façade program must provide a dollar for dollar, 50/50 reimbursable cash match for the grant request.  For example, if the total proposed project budget is $1,000, the applicant may request $500 in grant must and must provide a cash match of $500.  Funds for this program are limited and will be allocated on a first-come first-serve basis. 

Among the improvements encouraged include cleaning, repainting, patching, or re-siding of façade walls of buildings; the installation or repair of awnings or canopies that are functional and visually appealing; adding signage or lettering which is attractively integrated into the architecture of the building including the window area, doorway, and awning or canopy; and the installation or repair of exterior lighting.

“The Uptown Greenwood Development Board is committed to improving Uptown Greenwood one property at a time,” said Board Chairman Chip Turner, owner of H. H. Turner Jewelers in Uptown.   “We look forward to continuing the Maxwell Avenue initiative in 2006.”

For additional information about the Maxwell Avenue Façade Grant program or other programs offered by the UGDC, contact UGDC Executive Director Regina Berry at (864) 942-8448. 

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