Uptown Butte Façade Improvement Program

Façade Improvement Program Guidelines

Purpose: 

The Uptown Butte Business Improvement District (BID) Façade Improvement Program is designed to enhance the visual appeal, economic vitality, and historic character of the district. By investing in building improvements, property owners contribute to a more vibrant, welcoming environment that benefits businesses, residents, and visitors alike.

This program provides financial assistance, guidance, and resources to support high-quality exterior improvements that strengthen Uptown Butte’s identity and long-term success. This program emphasizes design quality, historic compatibility, and leveraging private investment to maximize public benefit.

Eligible Applicants:

• Property owners assessed within the BID boundary 

• Tenants with written property owner approval 

• Properties must be in good standing with BID assessments and local taxes

Eligible Improvements

Improvements must be visible from the public right-of-way and may include:

• Exterior paint 

• Architectural lighting 

• Awnings and canopies 

• Brick repair and masonry restoration 

• Signage 

• Landscaping 

• Window treatments (trim, lighting, etc.) 

• Sidewalk improvements (adjacent to property) 

• Façade restoration or replacement (siding, brick repointing, stucco)

Ineligible Improvements

• Interior renovations 

• Routine maintenance not resulting in visible improvement 

• Roof repairs/replacement (unless integral to façade design) 

• Work started prior to approval 

• Code violation corrections not tied to aesthetic improvement

Design Standards and Best Practices

Applicants are strongly encouraged to incorporate these best practices:

• Historic Compatibility: Use materials, colors, and architectural details that are compatible with the building’s original historic character. Uptown Butte’s early 20th-century commercial architecture is a community asset. Consult the Montana State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) guidelines and seek the advice of a preservation professional when working on contributing structures in the National Landmark district.

• Window and Storefront Transparency: Maximize ground-floor transparency through clear glazing. Avoid blocking or covering historic storefront windows. Retail districts with high window transparency consistently demonstrate stronger pedestrian activity and sales performance.

• Signage Quality: Prioritize high-quality, individually fabricated, or hand-painted signs over vinyl banners or generic channel lettering. Projecting signs (projecting perpendicular to the building) are encouraged as they increase visibility for pedestrians and are a hallmark of historic commercial districts.

• Lighting: Incorporate warm-toned, energy-efficient LED architectural lighting to highlight building features and extend the active hours of the streetscape. Upward-facing wash lighting on cornices and architectural details is particularly effective in historic districts.

• Awning Design: Fixed or retractable canvas awnings in solid or simple striped patterns compatible with building colors are preferred. Internally illuminated plastic awnings and mansard-style awnings that obscure historic architectural features are discouraged.

• Coordination with Adjacent Properties: Projects that coordinate color palettes, materials, or design themes with neighboring properties are strongly encouraged. 

Application Process

1. Submit Application to uptownbuttebid@gmail.com including: 

   • Project description and design intent 

   • Cost estimate(s) 

   • Project timeline 

   • Photos of existing conditions 

   • Sketches, renderings, or material samples (if available) 

2. Board Review 

   • Applications will be reviewed based on feasibility, design quality, visibility, and overall impact. 

   • Applicants will receive a decision within approximately 2–4 weeks. 

3. Preliminary Approval 

   • Work may begin only after receiving written preliminary approval. 

4. Project Completion 

   • Submit before-and-after photos 

   • Provide final paid invoices 

5. Reimbursement 

   • Issued upon verification that the project aligns with the approved scope and all required documentation has been received.

   • Project Completion Deadline: All approved projects must be completed and all reimbursement documentation submitted within one (1) year of the date of written preliminary approval. Projects not completed within this period will forfeit their award. Extensions may be requested in writing prior to the deadline and are granted only at the sole discretion of the BID Board.

Funding

• Reimbursement: 25% of eligible project costs, up to $5,000 in reimbursement

• Funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis 

• All reimbursements are based on paid, documented expenses 

Evaluation Criteria

Projects will be evaluated based on:

• Contribution to the overall streetscape 

• Alignment with Uptown Butte’s historic character 

• Visibility and location 

• Quality of design and materials 

• Readiness and feasibility

Program Terms, Conditions, and Limitations 

No Guarantee of Funding

Submission of an application does not guarantee approval or award of funds. The Uptown Butte Business Improvement District (“BID”) reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to approve, deny, or defer any application, to modify program guidelines at any time, and to discontinue the program at any time without prior notice. Availability of funds is not guaranteed and is subject to annual appropriation by the BID Board.

Applicant Responsibility; Permits and Compliance

Applicants are solely responsible for ensuring that all work performed under this program complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, codes, and regulations, including but not limited to building permits, zoning requirements, historic preservation guidelines, and accessibility standards. BID approval under this program does not constitute, and shall not be construed as, approval or authorization under any other regulatory requirement. The BID assumes no responsibility for verifying the adequacy, sufficiency, or legal compliance of any proposed or completed work.

Limitation of Liability; Indemnification

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE UPTOWN BUTTE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, ITS BOARD MEMBERS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND REPRESENTATIVES (COLLECTIVELY, “BID PARTIES”) SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGE, INJURY, CLAIM, OR EXPENSE OF ANY KIND ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO: (A) ANY WORK PERFORMED BY AN APPLICANT OR APPLICANT’S CONTRACTORS; (B) THE CONDITION OF ANY PROPERTY; (C) ANY DECISION TO APPROVE OR DENY AN APPLICATION; OR (D) PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROGRAM. THE BID DOES NOT WARRANT OR REPRESENT THE QUALITY, WORKMANSHIP, OR DURABILITY OF ANY APPROVED IMPROVEMENT.

By submitting an application, applicant agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the BID Parties from and against any and all claims, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to: (i) the applicant’s participation in this program; (ii) any work performed in connection with an approved project; (iii) any breach by applicant of any term or condition of this program; or (iv) any negligent or wrongful act or omission of applicant or applicant’s contractors, agents, or employees. 

No Agency or Employment Relationship

Nothing in this program shall be construed to create an agency, employment, joint venture, or partnership relationship between the BID and any applicant, property owner, tenant, or contractor. Applicants and their contractors are independent parties solely responsible for their own acts, omissions, and obligations.

Program Integrity; Right to Recapture

If the BID determines that a reimbursement was issued based on misrepresentation, fraud, or material noncompliance with program requirements, the BID reserves the right to seek full repayment of any funds disbursed. The BID may, in its discretion, disqualify applicants who have previously misused program funds from future participation.