Main Street LIVE: Livability Investments for Vibrant Economies

Directing place-based development, redevelopment, and housing in downtowns is a critical component to a robust and active economy, local government fiscal health, and sustainable development patterns. Main Street LIVE will fund downtown public infrastructure and facilities as Livability Investments for Vibrant Economies. This $17.5 million infusion will reinvest in our downtowns and enhance long-term sustainability, add to the built environment (buildings, streets, infrastructure), attract workforce, and augment other energy and housing projects.

This Initiative supports a reduced local match. This Initiative is a part of and will follow the regularly planned cycles of the Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF) Program.

Eligible Projects

• More competitive projects will meet 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and International Existing Building Code (IEBC) (as applicable), include renewable energy sources (as applicable), bringing buildings up to code (electrical, plumbing, fire suppression, insulation, etc.), to contribute to affordable housing goals, include age-friendly amenities to the project, and/or improve the overall livability and vibrancy of downtown.
• Infrastructure and streetscape improvements: water, sewer, stormwater, energy, sidewalks, and streetscape or placemaking improvements (including, but not limited to, high efficiency street lights, benches, accessibility improvements, parklets, breezeway and alley activation improvements.
• Investments in public buildings/facilities, gathering/event spaces, downtown public art programs, public restrooms, public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, and downtown wayfinding, as part of a broader streetscape project).
• ADA accessibility upgrades and energy-efficiency improvements to public buildings (building facade improvements eligible as part of this work).
• Design, engineering and project-specific certification costs for above projects.

Ineligible Projects

• Ineligible projects include parking lots (except for multi-floor, multi-modal downtown parking structure/multi-modal hub)
• Grant funds spent on private property or private infrastructure are ineligible. However, local matching funds can be used to leverage resources (e.g., local facade improvement grants to businesses or grants to convert second stories to attainable, accessible housing).

Funding

• $17.5 million is established as a set-aside within the EIAF Program through June 30, 2026 or when funds run out. Other agencies’ funding (such as CDOT’s Revitalizing Main Streets grant program) are eligible matching funds. Local facade grant programs can also be used as match.
• Match lowered to 25% and maximum request is increased to $1.5M. Planning projects at 10% match under consideration.