Storefront & Façade Improvement Incentive

The building must be located close to the sidewalk and at ground-level so that pedestrians can easily see into and enter the stores. There should be no obstructions in front of the building such as a parking lot or stairs. Sometimes a small setback from the sidewalk can be a design element for the façade – this space can be used as a gathering place or display area for the business.

People should be able to clearly see inside the shop to the showcased merchandise and the shopkeepers should be able to easily see outside to monitor who is around the buildings.

Improvements include:

• adding and/or increasing the size of existing windows and storefronts;
• using glass doors;
• using clear glass rather than frosted or tinted glass;
• decluttering the windows of posters and signs; and,
• removing roller shutters or painting grills black.
• adding downcast lighting that washes the perimeter of buildings in light and does not pollute night skies.

The entrances of the building should

• be wide enough to be comfortable;
• be located directly onto the sidewalk and not along the side of the building;
• be inviting, eye-catching and complement the façade design using interesting materials;
• be accompanied by clear business signage including good address display;
• be well lit to provide a sense of security and safety for visitors; and,
• incorporate landscaping to enhance pedestrian comfort and make the place more interesting.

Neighbourhoods are healthy and complete when they are filled with people walking up and down the sidewalks. Certain businesses foster this pedestrian activity: coffee shops, clothing stores, gift shops, restaurants and bakeries.

Façade improvements should make the buildings friendly to the pedestrians. The project emphasis will focus on the lower three stories of the building. The front of the building will be partitioned into sections that are more interesting to walk past than long stretches of homogenous walls. Design elements and materials such as signage should be people-sized rather than super-sized elements that cater to people driving past quickly in their cars.

Buildings should be well lit at all times of the day. Customers and pedestrians want to feel safe as they walk down the streets. Building façade and sidewalks can be lit with lighting that has different colours and patterns to create dramatic effects. Lighting that contributes to dark skies is preferred.

Estevan is a winter city. Streetscapes and building façade can use the dramatic winter sun to create interesting shadows along the building face, maximize sun exposure, and provide protection from the wind and snow. This can be done with:

• awnings, balconies or projects that shelter;
• Warm, bright colours;
• hardy landscaping that survives winter and provides colour and texture in winter months;
• lighting to illuminate dark evenings; and,
• non-slippery materials for building entrances.

The improvements should make the building look inviting to shoppers, comfortable for pedestrians and interesting for the whole streetscape. Unique artistic elements can give a shopping area character and identity. Texture, pattern, colour and interesting shapes should be incorporated into the façade design in an innovative arrangement and through the use of a variety of materials.