OLD ORCHARD BEACH — A makeover of the downtown is now underway, thanks to the help of a Community Development Block Grant.

Last year, the town received $150,000 for facade improvements, which has been distributed to nine local business owners and the Libby Memorial Library. The funds are federal money transferred from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to the state office of community development, which distributes the funds across the state.

The grant program is designed to provide funding to improve blighted properties. In 2005, the downtown was declared a blighted area by the Town Council. This distinction lasts for 10 years, and will expire in 2015, according to Assistant Town Planner Jessica Wagner.

A portion of the funds ”“ $15,000 ”“ was allotted for an architect, Denis Lachman of Lachman Architects and Planners.

Facade renovations include exterior renovations such as painting, siding, awnings, lighting and display windows.

The town received 19 applications, which were reviewed by a town-appointed committee. Ten grants were awarded, ranging from $3,000 to $20,000. Those granted money must provide matching funds.

A few businesses have already begun work and Wagner said she hopes that the majority of the projects will be finished in time for the summer season.

Guy Loranger, who owns Beach Bagels Cafe on Old Orchard Street, received a grant of $5,000 for improvements to his business.

The cafe is open year-round and new double paned windows in the front will help save energy and keep the restaurant warm in the winter. A new double door on the side of the building will help improve the flow of traffic and upcoming improvements include a new stair and railing system on the side of the building and a new awning.

Loranger said without the grant, he wouldn’t have been able to afford the improvements.

“I’d been thinking about it for a while, but it wasn’t economically feasible,” he said.

Some businesses are undertaking more dramatic improvements. One location is 8 West Grand Ave., which houses Big Licks and Bernie’s Beach Club. Owner Rob Langlois received a $20,000 grant. The money will help fund a new roofline, renovated deck, more windows and new siding. A wall around the second floor deck will be removed and replace with a railing system that will expose the deck to people on the sidewalk.

Currently, a large section of the first floor has no windows, and adding windows will make it more attractive to retailers looking for a space and people walking by, Langlois said.

“The goal is to not only improve aesthetics, but to make buildings more economically successful,” said Wagner.

Improvements are underway at Mr. Goodbar, which will be reopening in April, according to owners John and Gina Martinez. The couple received a grant for $15,000 to help make improvements to the nightclub, which is in a building owned by Old Orchard Beach Associates.

The club, which is located at 6 East Grand Ave., had small circular porthole windows, which are being replaced with large storefront windows.

“I think it will feel more warm and welcoming,” said Gina.

The improvements will also include a new awning.

“It’s going to dress up the front of it like crazy,” said John.

The small windows made the building intimidating to some people, said Gina, and people walking by couldn’t always tell what was inside.

“You didn’t know what it was,” said John.

The small windows also didn’t bring in a lot of light, and the club felt like a cavern, said John.

As well, the couple had done an extensive renovation inside Mr. Goodbar, but people couldn’t see it from the outside, they said. They expect the changes will make the club more inviting for people who want to come down for happy hour and relax in the early evening and have a drink, and the Martinezes hope to be able to open a little earlier and extend their business hours.

“People will be able to sit by the windows and people-watch,” said John.

The improvements to the buildings, said Wagner, will increase “businesses’ ability to do business.”

Both the Martinezes and Loranger said participating in the grant program was a positive experience.

“If it comes around again, other businesses should definitely take a look at it,” said Loranger.

The grant is continuing the momentum of revitalization that occurred a few years ago after the town was awarded $125,000 in Community Development Block Grant money in 2005. The first grant helped fund improvements at the exterior of the Dickinson’s Candy building and the entranceway of The Pier.

Improvements made at the Dickinson’s Candy building helped “get the ball rolling” on changes downtown, said Loranger.

Wagner said that as more people make improvements, there is more incentive for others to improve their buildings.

She said that when improvements first began in the downtown, the buildings that were renovated were the ones that stood out. As more and more improvements take place downtown, the ones in disrepair are the ones that will stand out, she said.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.