La Mesa Property Revitalization Grants

In 2020, The La Mesa City Council established two micro-grant programs to encourage commercial property enhancement and revitalization in the City.   The purpose of both grant programs is to provide funding to eligible applicants to revitalize commercial and legal non-conforming residential properties in La Mesa. Information about The La Mesa Property Revitalization Grant Program and West La Mesa Community Enhancement Grant Program including program guidelines, the application process, and how to apply are provided below.

La Mesa Property Revitalization Grant Program

The La Mesa Property Revitalization Grant Program is a three-year pilot program that provides funding for property owners, developers and investors to rehabilitate and revitalize commercial and legal non-conforming residential properties that have been negatively impacted by illegal cannabis dispensaries.  The main goal of the program is to incentivize the revitalization and enhancement of these properties to achieve a noticeable aesthetic improvement.  Projects that include property cleanup, façade improvement, graffiti removal, painting, pressure washing, demolition of dilapidated structures, and improved or updated directional or commercial signage are eligible for program funding.  

Properties within a three hundred (300) foot radius from former illegal cannabis dispensary sites within La Mesa’s jurisdictional boundary are eligible for funding.  The maximum grant award is two thousand dollars ($2,000) per applicant per funding cycle. Funding is limited.  The La Mesa Property Revitalization Grant Program is a 100% reimbursable grant program.   

For additional information about the La Mesa Property Revitalization Grant Program including the terms and conditions, funding guidelines, and property eligibility, please refer to the program guidelines.

West La Mesa Community Enhancement Grant Program

The West La Mesa Community Enhancement Grant Program provides funding for businesses, property owners, and non-profit organizations to complete community enhancement projects to properties along the University Avenue and El Cajon Boulevard commercial corridors.  This micro-grant program is meant to be a catalyst for enhancing and improving the exterior appearance of properties along both corridors in the West La Mesa area.  Projects that include property cleanup, pressure washing, landscape planting, painting, and murals or public art are eligible for program funding.  

The program area consists of all commercially zoned and legal non-conforming use properties in the City of La Mesa that front University Avenue and El Cajon Boulevard from Baltimore Drive west to the City’s jurisdictional boundary.  The maximum grant award is two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) per applicant.  Funding is limited.  The West La Mesa Community Enhancement Grant Program is 100% reimbursable grant program.  

For additional information about the West La Mesa Community Enhancement Grant Program including the terms and conditions, funding guidelines, and property eligibility, please refer to the program guidelines.

Application Process

The City will accept applications for both grant programs on a first come, first serve basis subject to the availability of funding. Please refer to the program guidelines for each grant program for additional details about the application process.

How to Apply – Application Instructions

Please fill out the Application Form and complete all fields of information.  The application form can be used for either grant program. Please remember to provide two to three pictures of the property or structure where the work will be performed.  If you are a non-profit organization applying for funding, please include proof of non-profit status with your completed application.

Donations Welcome!

Funding for these programs is limited.  If you are a business owner, property owner, non-profit organization, or resident and would like to help further the goals of these grant programs but are not interested in applying, you can donate funding. Donations can provide funding for more businesses and property owners to complete improvement projects to the benefit of La Mesa. If you would like to donate funding, please email ldedmon@cityoflamesa.us or call 619.667.1339.