On Tuesday September 8, 2020, the New Castle Town Board approved a Façade Improvement Grant Program – an incentive program to encourage property owners and businesses in the Chappaqua and Millwood hamlets to improve the exterior appearance of their buildings and storefronts. The program provides direct financial incentives in the form of a 50% matching grant to eligible applicants. The purpose of the program is to create a positive visual impact, stimulate economic activity, and complement the Town’s infrastructure and streetscape improvements in the Chappaqua hamlet. Better aesthetics have been shown to increase property values, improve the marketability of space within buildings, and draw businesses and residents to the area.
To finance this program the Town has tapped into the $1.5m payment from Summit Greenfield which was earmarked for programs to mitigate the impacts of Chappaqua Crossing. Previous expenditures have included funding for the Town Hall playground and basketball court, launching Discover Chappaqua – a website and marking campaign for the Chappaqua hamlet, hiring consultants to analyze the feasibility of building the ChapLine (a mixed use path between the hamlet and Chappaqua Crossing), and funding for the rezoning of the Chappaqua Hamlet, among other projects. The Town Board is committed to working with property owners and merchants to encourage and support our local businesses!
Program Presentation (PDF)
Facade Improvement Program Summary & Eligibility (PDF)