The Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority is offering businesses two separate improvement grants in an effort to help renovate and beautify the DDA district.

A second round of money targeting the West Cross Street district will soon be available.

Three grants of $10,000 each will be offered to businesses from 500 to 800 W. Cross, where vacancy rates and high turnover has been an issue over the last decade.

Funding comes from the Washtenaw County Eastern Leaders’ Group with a match from the DDA.

The first round of grants were awarded to the owners of the former Magazine Rack Adult Bookstore, the Tower Inn Cafe and the owners of the former Ted’s in the building at 729-735 W. Cross St.

The grants tied in with a larger overhaul of the Cross Street corridor between River Street and the water tower.

DDA executive director Tim Colbeck said the grants are for building rehabilitation. He said the money could be used to improve fire suppression, make a building ADA compliant, improve wiring or other similar projects.

The DDA will also make $40,000 available for façade improvements throughout all three downtown districts: $10,000 will be offered to West Cross and Depot Town businesses, and $20,000 will be available to downtown businesses.

Through the program, the DDA will provide matching funds for cosmetic façade improvement projects, though their contribution is limited to $2,500. If a business completed a $3,000 project, then the DDA would pay for $1,500. If a project cost $7,000, for example, then the DDA would contribute its maximum of $2,500.

Colbeck said the program is intended to help businesses with improvements such as painting, signage, exterior lighting and other cosmetic projects.

“This is a straightforward beautification program to help economic development by offering money for the projects,” he said. “What we’re hoping is if there’s business owner who doesn’t have the resources and needs a coat of paint, what we’re hoping will happen is they will say “Okay, let’s do it now.’”

The deadline for application submissions is Aug. 1.