Vacant Spaces Revival Grants

Eligible Businesses

The Vacant Spaces Revival Grants Program is only available to businesses and nonprofit organizations that have occupied a vacant ground-floor commercial space (after January 1, 2023) or secured a lease (by May 1, 2024) in Seattle’s University District. 

A vacant ground floor commercial space is defined as a physical area or property that is located on the ground level and is designated for commercial use. “Vacant” indicates that the space is unoccupied, unused, and/or currently available to lease. The ground floor commercial space’s visibility, accessibility, and potential foot traffic make it a desirable option for various commercial ventures seeking to engage with customers or clients directly.

Click here to view a map of the U District boundary.

Other Eligibility Requirements

The following is also required to be eligible for a Vacant Spaces Revival Grant:

• Must occupy and/or secure a lease for a vacant ground-floor commercial space in the U District (between January 1, 2023 and by May 1, 2024).
• Must be a for-profit business (with less than 500 employees) or non-profit organization (501c3 or 501c19)
• Must have an active Washington Unified Business Identifier (UBI) Number
• Must have (or attain within 14-days of award) a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Number 
• If awarded, capital improvement projects must be completed by June 1, 2024.
• If awarded, equipment purchased must be delivered by June 1, 2024.

Eligible Projects

Eligible projects include fixed asset (physical) improvements that meet the goal of improving your businesses competitiveness, sustainability, customer attraction, and revenue generation (started and completed between January 1, 2023 – June 1, 2024). This can include but is not limited to exterior improvements like new awnings, signage, paint, lighting, windows, and outdoor dining infrastructure. Use of grant funds can also include but is not limited to interior improvements such as the purchase of equipment, seating/dining tables for customers, painting, lighting, and flooring.

Eligible Locations

U District Vacant Spaces Revival Grants are available to entrepreneurs, business operators, and nonprofit organizations which have occupied a vacant ground-floor commercial space (after January 1, 2023) or secured a lease (by May 1, 2024) in the U District. Click here to view a map of the U District boundary.

This funding is available to those:

• Opening a new business concept in the U District
• Expanding a current business concept (not already present in the U District)
• Relocating their current business into the U District. 

Ineligible Businesses

If your business falls under the following criteria, you are not eligible for this program:

• Businesses/organizations which are locating outside of the U District.
• Businesses/organizations that have already received external grant funds for the same costs, whether from public or private sources.
• Businesses/organizations that are classified as “Adult Entertainment” regulated under Seattle Municipal Code 6.270.
• Businesses/organizations including cannabis shops, growers, or dispensaries regulated under the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board.
• Businesses/organizations that are debarred or suspended from receiving federal funds Click here to learn more about debarment/suspension and how to check your status. 
• Landlord/property owners that do not plan to own/operate a ground-floor business open to the public. (Landlords/property owners may encourage eligible businesses to apply.)
• Businesses/organizations that will not operate a ground-floor business open to the public.
• Businesses/organizations that have already received grant funding under the U District Vitality Grants Program (Operators which received these funds are still eligible if opening a new business concept with a new UBI and UEI number).

Ineligible Projects

This grant is intended to support investments in exterior and/or interior physical components of your business. It can not be used for non-physical investments including staff-time, salaries, rent, taxes, advertising, insurance, utilities, administrative costs, operating expenses or others related to the day-to-day running of the business. Projects that have been funded by other grants or recovery dollars are ineligible. Projects started before January 1, 2023 or completed after June 1, 2024 are also ineligible.

Applying for the U District Vacant Spaces Revival Grant program

If your business is eligible, you can apply by clicking here. Once you click “submit,” your application is final. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions during the application process.

Information to Prepare Before you Apply

We strongly recommend assembling the following materials before you begin your application so you can cut and paste the information into your application. Below is a sample of some of the information you will need to apply. 

• Business plan and/or detailed description of your business concept.
• Specific vacant ground-floor commercial space(s) you would like to lease/occupy and description of your plans for the space.
• Description of the investments you would make with this grant.
• Description of your previous experience operating a business.
• Washington Unified Business Identifier (UBI) Number
• Federal Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Number (If you do not have this number, you will have 14-days to obtain it if your application is awarded – we strongly encourage you to begin the process of obtaining it now.) Obtain your UEI number by clicking here

The U District Partnership is committed to helping you succeed and wants to see this unique investment have the greatest possible impact for your business/organization and the U District community. 

Contact Us

We’re here to help! Please contact us if you have a question about this program. We can provide guidance and assistance as you work through your application. Please contact Daniel if you have questions: 

Daniel Lokic
daniel@udistrictpartnership.org
(773) 428-0844

Timeline

Applications reviewed on a rolling basis until funding is exhausted. Funding is still available so we encourage you to apply today.

Selection Criteria for Tenant Improvement Fund

The U District Partnership and the Washington State Department of Commerce will fund these grants through a competitive process, carefully evaluating each application. Preference will be given to applicants that have/will secure a long-term lease (3+ years).For this particular program, the selection panel will score your application (maximum of 100 points) based on the following criteria:

Due to the strict requirements of these federal funds, this process needs to move quickly to comply with the Washington State Department of Commerce’s deadline. All projects must be completed before June 1, 2024.

If awarded, the U District Partnership will commit to providing you with a grant of up to $100,000 once you meet the grant contract requirements. Awardees will be required to show proof of an executed lease and sign a grant contract – verifying their eligibility, agreeing to terms, and pledging to complete their project before June 1, 2024.

All projects must be completed by a vendor that is qualified and licensed to do business in Washington. The U District Partnership will only reimburse awardees for the costs associated with projects completed by June 1, 2024. 

Grant funding will only be disbursed after projects are completed and the awardee submits the payment request documentation required to receive reimbursement. This documentation includes receipts, invoices, and photos that prove project completion and must be submitted no later than June 1, 2024. If an awardee does not follow these strict guidelines, they will lose grant funding, even if work has already begun.