Baltimore County merchants tap into county revitalization program

Plans for redevelopment in downtown Towson have prompted area merchants to consider face-lifts of their own, spurring renewed interest in a Baltimore County program for commercial revitalization.

To keep up with projects that will bring new stores, restaurants and residences to Towson's core, several York Road businesses are working through county programs that offer design advice from architects and interest-free loans for exterior improvements.

"They know that things are changing, so they want to take advantage of the change so that all boats will rise with this tide of change," said Andrea Van Arsdale, director of the county's Department of Planning.

Businesses located in the county's 16 commercial revitalization districts, which range from Arbutus to Reisterstown to Dundalk, are eligible for 10 free hours of professional design services from an architect, interest-free loans of up to $30,000 for exterior improvements, or five- or 10-year commercial revitalization tax credits.

There's been strong interest in the storefront program, which is designed to help businesses in aging commercial corridors with that critical first impression. The planning department took over the program, which dates to the 1990s, from the economic development department as part of a 2012 reorganization.

Sixteen small businesses have turned to the "Architect on Call" service over the past two years for projects in Catonsville, Essex, Nottingham, Parkville, Pikesville, Randallstown, Reisterstown, Towson and Woodlawn, said Fronda Cohen, a county spokeswoman. Funds for the service come from larger architectural contracts with the county's Department of Public Works.

"Right now, there's a lot in the pipeline," said Troy Leftwich, a commercial revitalization specialist in the planning department. And he expects activity to pick up this spring.

The Melting Pot in Towson plans to update its front from a "Western town look" with an outdated awning to a new flatstone front with a colorful pitch roof, said Jeff Nichols, co-owner of the restaurant.

After getting help from an architect on the design, Nichols is preparing his loan applications. Because the Melting Pot takes up two storefront addresses, each is eligible for a loan. The rest of the project, which Nichols said would cost more than $100,000, will be privately financed.

The improvements not only will help the restaurant keep up with the area's renaissance but participate in it, he said.

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Baltimore County merchants tap into county revitalization program