The City is pleased to offer the Downtown Parklet Grant of up to $10,000. This revitalization of downtown spaces will retain or create jobs in highly impacted businesses and assist
the local economy as it responds to the coronavirus.
Before you apply for a grant, you must have a permit number and parklet design plan.
To apply for a permit, use the links below.
Parklet Permit
Obstruction Permit
Program Details
This grant is available to downtown restaurant and bars and will reimburse restaurants or bars up to $10,000 for material expenses to expand outdoor space with a parklet.
Parklet Grant Process
Design
- The Restaurant or Bar works with a vendor to design a parklet. Please use our design guide for reference. Design Guide
- If the business doesn’t have a specific vendor, contact Downtown Springfield, Inc. (DSI) for parklet vendors at 217.544.1723.
Apply
- The Restaurant or Bar submits the parklet design and permit application to the City’s Public Works.
- Public Works issues the permit to the business.
- The business submits a grant application.
- If eligibility requirements are met, Office of Planning & Economic Development (OPED) provides notice of aware and a grant contract to the business.
Install
- The parklet is ordered by the business and installed.
- The parklet is inspected by Public Works.
- The business provides the final invoice to OPED.
Award
- Two weeks later, OPED issues the grant award to the business.
Eligibility
Restaurants and bars applying for this program must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be located in the central business district Central Business District Map
- Be in good standing with the State of Illinois
- Not owe any fines or debt to the City
- Demonstrate a financial hardship caused by COVID-19
- Demonstrate the creation or retention of a low to moderate income job. To demonstrate the creation or retention of a low to moderate income job or position,
please submit ONE of the following documents:
- An income certification form for one employee (or owner) who qualifies as low to moderate income based on the Sangamon County income limits in the table below.
- If no current employee (or owner) can certify to being a person from a low to moderate income household, the business may submit a job description for a position that:
- Is reasonably expected to turn over within two years and
- Requires no special skills that can only be acquired with substantial (i.e., one year or more) training or education beyond high school.
Size of Household
|
Maximum Income
|
1 person |
Can make up to $47,900 |
2 people |
Can make up to $54,750 |
3 people |
Can make up to $61,600 |
4 people |
Can make up to $68,400 |
5 people |
Can make up to $73,900 |
6 people |
Can make up to $79,350 |
7 people |
Can make up to $84,850 |
8 people |
Can make up to $90,300 |
-
In an effort to respond and recover from COVID-19 and to receive CARES Parklet grant assistance, all businesses must provide documentation showing the assistance is needed because
- The business suffered an adverse impact from COVID-19
- The business is creating and/or retaining LMI jobs to determine eligibility
Application Requirements
You will need the following information and documents to apply for the grant:
Grant Awards
Applicants will be verified for eligibility in the order in which received. Grants will be made to qualified applicants until funding is exhausted.
Questions
If you have any questions on this rebate program and the application, please call (217) 789-2377 ext. 5477 or email your questions to ravi.doshi@springfield.il.us.
You can also check out our FAQ page located below.
Parklet Grant FAQs