The DLBA’s Capital Improvement and Beautification Grant program is designed to provide financial support for physical and beautification projects within the Downtown area. Intended to beautify Downtown, enhance public safety or expand accessibility, this program will provide grant funding to associations, organizations or entities interested in making physical improvements within Downtown.
Through the DLBA’s Capital Improvement Task Force (CIP TF), the DLBA has led or contributed to a variety of beautification projects ranging from colorful LED light treatments, to festive holiday decor and landscape programs. In addition, the CIP TF has funded beautification and improvement projects presented by other Downtown organizations, which have partnered with the City of Long Beach’s Neighborhood Partners Program (NPP). One such example is the East Village Alleyway Beautification Project (pictured above) which aimed to turn the little-used East Alta Way alley into a pedestrian passage by removing and replacing deteriorating paving, planting trees and flowers, and creating an overall pleasant experience for East Village residents and visitors. The photos above reflect what the alley looked like before the project started and the changes that have been made thus far. Further plans within the this project include painting murals on the wall and installing additional art.
“The DLBA’s contribution to the NPP grant allowed us to take what was a visual blight in our neighborhood and create a warm and inviting pedestrian walkway,” said Michael Mosseli, President of the East Village Association. “Thanks to the existence of this and similar programs, community organizations like ours are able to take an active role in improving our Downtown neighborhoods.”
The first step of the Capital Improvement and Beautification Grant application process requires the submission of a 100 to 200 word abstract that describes the proposed project. Abstracts are due by 5 p.m. on February 1, 2012. The CIP TF will with City of Long Beach staff to review the feasibility of all abstracts and determine which proposals shall be invited to submit the full grant application. Funding shall be made available to any state-recognized public, private, or non-profit entity seeking to fund applicable projects in Downtown.
Timeline for Submission Process*
February 1, 2012 – Deadline for submissions for abstracts
February 9, 2012 – CIP TF selects abstracts to invite for full application submission
March 16, 2012 – Deadline for completed applications
March 29, 2012 – CIP TF selects applications for interviews
April 12, 2012 – CIP TF conducts interviews and selects grantees
*Dates are subject to change.
To read the call for projects grant application form, click here. For more information call 562-436-4259.
