A long-neglected section of Huntsville is about to take another step in its rehabilitation.

Business and property owners in West Huntsville’s Choice Neighborhood Mill Creek area will be eligible to apply for grants to improve their building exteriors.

“I am proud of the investment and attention that is being given to the people of West Huntsville,” said City Councilman Bill Kling, whose district includes the Mill Creek area. “In the past, this area of the city was neglected.”

The Mill Creek Façade Improvement Grant Program, funded through the city’s Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant program, provides a maximum project cost of $24,999 for eligible properties. Owners contribute 10% of the cost before construction begins and the city covers the remaining balance.

“This is a tremendous opportunity that the city is excited to offer through the support of HUD,” Community Development Manager Scott Erwin said. “The program has $175,000 available, with each application and scope of work being unique. The application portal will remain open until all funds have been allocated, so we encourage everyone to apply soon.

“We encourage eligible property owners to submit applications quickly to be a part of this project.”

Erwin said applicants must meet environmental requirements, including considerations related to flood plains, to be eligible.

“Since the portal opened, we have had 12 businesses apply, and the positive response from the neighborhood has been remarkable,” he said. “While not all applicants may be eligible due to environmental criteria, we are grateful for the strong interest and participation.”

Owners and operators of commercial or mixed-use buildings with ground-floor commercial space within the designated Mill Creek boundaries (Holmes Avenue and I-565 south to Bob Wallace Avenue, between Triana Boulevard and Memorial Parkway) may apply.

“This Mill Creek project will provide for mixed-use housing, a new Publix for the neighborhood,” Kling said. “Huntsville Hospital will have a new apartment building for its nurses and support employees. The city of Huntsville will be doing a lot of flood mitigation efforts.”

The city recently approved a contract hiring Strozier Construction Company as the project’s general contractor.

Eligible improvements include painting and surface cleaning; window, door and framing repair; exterior lighting; signage, awnings and canopies; masonry repair and siding as well as code and ADA accessibility upgrades.

To start the process, property owners can apply online or email the Community Development Department for a pre-application consultation.

“Overall, we are estimating that this will be at least $350 million of new investment that will now accentuate the appeal of West Huntsville,” Kling said. “There is pride in being from West Huntsville now.”