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Downtown Rochester MN
Downtown Rochester MN

Parklet and Sidewalk Cafe Grant

The Parklet and Sidewalk Café Grant program is aimed at assisting downtown bars, restaurants, or community organizations looking to construct a sidewalk café or parklet structure.

Available grant funds

  • Grant funds may be used to pay for up to 50 percent of the costs associated with design, rendering, construction materials and labor for building a street café or parklet structure.
  • Applicants must also match 100 percent of any funds received from the grant.
  • The maximum amount of grant funding a business or organization may receive is $10,000.
  • If an applicant is approved for funding, approval is given as a “not to exceed” amount. So, if an approved project’s final receipts are less than approved amount, the grant payout will be half of the resulting total.

Administration of grant

  • The grant is administered by the Rochester Downtown Alliance on behalf of the City of Rochester.
  • Funding decisions may take up to five business days and are based on review by a subcommittee appointed by the City of Rochester.
  • Awards are considered on a “first-come, first serve” basis.
  • Grant funding will be provided as a reimbursement to approved applicants after work is completed.
  • Paid invoices for approved work must be submitted to the RDA 90 days after completion of work.

Use of grant funds

Grant funds may be used towards the following items:

  • Design and rendering services
  • Construction material needed to build the parklet or sidewalk café structure
  • Labor costs to build or installed the parklet or sidewalk café structure

Matching funds may be used towards any of the above items or the following for the parklet space:

  • Horticulture
  • Tables, chairs, and other seating
  • Lighting
  • Artwork or informative displays
  • Other items that will be used in the parklet space, when approved by the sub-committee

Eligibility

  • The applying business must be located within the downtown special service district.
  • Applicants who have been approved or are in review for a Sidewalk Café permit by the City of Rochester may apply. If the sidewalk café is located on private property applicant must obtain and submit written approval from the property owner.
  • Applicant must comply with all municipal and state codes and regulations; permitting must be secured prior to grant fund dispersal.

Application instructions

  • Apply for the grant online by clicking here.
  • With your application, please include:
    • A copy/verification of a Sidewalk Café Permit application from the City Clerk’s office.
    • Estimates for any construction or design work for which you are requesting grant funding.

Questions?

Contact info@downtownrochestermn.com or 507-216-9882.