Historic Downtown Merriam Exterior Improvement Grant Program

The Historic Downtown Merriam Exterior Improvement Grant is a local grant initiative launched by the City of Merriam, Kansas, through its Community Development Department. This program aims to support property and business owners located within a specifically delineated area of Historic Downtown Merriam to undertake meaningful improvements to building exteriors. By offering financial assistance through partial reimbursements, the City seeks to promote revitalization, preserve architectural character, and enhance the economic vitality of the historic core. The city has allocated a total of $200,000 for the program, which will be distributed as 30% reimbursements to eligible applicants undertaking qualified improvement projects. Eligible improvements under this grant are restricted to the exterior of commercial buildings and may include painting, siding, window and door replacement, masonry repair, installation of awnings, landscaping, building additions, foundation repair, and flood proofing. Flood proofing projects must adhere to FEMA standards and be designed by a licensed Kansas engineer. Interior work is explicitly excluded unless it directly involves foundation repair or flood resilience. Importantly, government-subsidized improvements are ineligible for reimbursement. All proposed work must be code compliant and meet the Downtown District Architectural Design Guidelines, as applicable. To qualify for reimbursement, property owners must invest a minimum of $3,000 in eligible improvements. The grant program will reimburse up to 30% of approved expenses, with a minimum reimbursement of $600 and a cap of $10,000 per property. Only one grant may be awarded per property with the same owner within a five-year period, although owners of multiple properties may apply once per year for different buildings. Applicants must be current on all Merriam property taxes, have adequate property insurance, and ensure that all their properties in Merriam are code compliant, aside from any violations being addressed through this grant. Applications will be accepted starting March 2, 2026. All proposed work must be pre-approved by the Community Development Department before beginning and must be completed by September 21, 2026, or within 120 days of approval—whichever comes first. Applications are reviewed in the order received, and reimbursement will only be provided for labor performed by licensed third-party contractors. All bids must accompany the application, and property owners are responsible for securing all necessary permits in advance of any work. After project completion, city staff will conduct inspections and photograph the site before and after the improvement work. To initiate the process, applicants must submit a completed application either in person or by mail to City Hall at 9001 W. 62nd St., Merriam, KS 66202. The application packet must include evidence of paid property taxes, current property insurance, and itemized receipts totaling at least $3,000. After project completion, the City will conduct a post-inspection to confirm compliance and project execution. A completed W-9 form is required prior to reimbursement, and the project site must be free from any remaining exterior code violations. David Easley, a representative of the City of Merriam, is listed as the contact person for the grant. He can be reached at 913-322-5526. The city maintains the right to change or discontinue the program at any time without prior notice. Additionally, recipients should be aware that grants may be considered taxable income and that the City will report the award to the IRS using a 1099 form. Property owners are advised to consult a tax professional regarding potential tax implications. The targeted investment area is strictly confined to the boundaries defined on the official program map, which aligns with specific addresses and infrastructure corridors in Historic Downtown Merriam.