Building Change Grant Program

The Building Change Grant Program (BCGP) is administered by the City of Iowa City’s Economic Development Division. It is designed to promote revitalization and reinvestment in existing buildings located within the Downtown, Northside Marketplace, Riverfront Crossings, and Towncrest Urban Renewal Areas. The program supports the city’s goals of improving economic vitality, enhancing sustainability, preserving historic structures, and fostering aesthetic upgrades that contribute to the community’s social and cultural fabric. Through the provision of matching funds, the grant encourages property owners and tenants to make meaningful improvements that increase both the usability and longevity of local buildings. BCGP funding is structured into two tiers: “Step Up” and “Power Up.” The Step Up tier provides grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 for eligible façade, accessibility, and space reactivation projects, generally covering up to 50% of the total project cost. The Power Up tier allows for awards up to $100,000 for projects that include energy efficiency upgrades such as HVAC, lighting, insulation, or solar installations combined with energy reduction measures. All projects are subject to a 50% matching requirement, meaning applicants must provide funding equal to or greater than the city’s contribution. Eligible costs include construction, materials, and labor, while ineligible costs include design or engineering fees, routine maintenance, and expenses incurred before grant approval. Eligible applicants include property owners and tenants, provided the property lies within one of the designated districts and is commercially taxed, mixed-use with a commercial component, or a vacant commercial building proposed for adaptive reuse under city code. Tenants must secure written consent from the property owner to apply. Properties that are exclusively residential are ineligible. Buildings classified as contributing structures within the Downtown Historic District may require Historic Preservation review before construction begins. A valid building permit must also be secured prior to the start of construction. Applications are due by 3:00 p.m. on Monday, November 17, 2025. All submissions must be completed through the online application portal. Following the submission deadline, a review period of three to five business days will occur, after which applicants will be notified of funding decisions. Awardees must execute a grant agreement with the city before beginning any work. Reimbursement of funds occurs only after the project’s completion, supported by submission of invoices, proof of payment, and other documentation verifying compliance with program rules. Projects that begin prior to grant approval will be deemed ineligible for reimbursement. Evaluation of applications will consider project impact, improvement type, total investment, architectural compatibility, and contributions to historic preservation. The City reserves full discretion to approve or deny applications and may request additional information to support eligibility or project feasibility. Projects are encouraged to incorporate energy efficiency improvements, as doing so may increase the maximum grant award and strengthen the proposal’s sustainability profile. In addition, applicants in the Downtown District may leverage CoSign+ program funds for storefront enhancements, which can count toward the applicant’s matching contribution. Technical support is available through the MERGE Business Resource Center, operated by the Greater Iowa City, Inc. Partnership, which offers free one-on-one consultations with architects and business experts during the grant application period. Additional inquiries about the Building Change Grant Program should be directed to Rachel Kilburg, Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Iowa City, at rkilburg@iowa-city.org or by phone at 319-356-5248. The City encourages all applicants to review eligibility carefully and contact staff with any questions before applying.

Use CoSign+ for match; consult MERGE Business Resource Center for design and funding guidance.