The City of Olathe has announced incentives to preserve and protect downtown storefronts.

The grant provides assistance to businesses, offices, retail and food establishments in downtown Olathe for renovating or strengthening exterior facades.

Three grants are available annually, contributing up to 50 percent of eligible costs. Grants will not exceed a maximum of $10,000 for a single property. Grant recipients will have one year, starting June 1, 2018, to complete updates in order to receive the funding.

Suggested improvements include exterior walls or structure, or replacement or addition of awnings, windows, doors, lighting, paint, landscaping or signs. Interested applicants should consider the entire building, extending beyond the first floor, such as decorative elements, window patterns and ornamental mouldings.

Improvements must meet all city codes and ordinances. Buildings occupied by schools, colleges and universities, government offices and elected or appointed officials are not eligible.

Eligible businesses reside roughly within the dedicated downtown zone stretching south from West Poplar Street along Kansas Avenue to just beyond West Cedar Street; east to Water Street then north to East Poplar Street, including one block on Woodland Street between East Santa Fe Street and East Poplar Street. For a map and more information, visit www.olatheks.org.

The deadline for applications is April 2, but interested businesses should first contact City of Olathe Planning Division with a letter or email of interest. The application can be filled out here and submitted to the City of Olathe Planning Commission.