WABASH, IN- Downtown Wabash, Inc. is proud to announce the 2025 Façade Grant recipients. With support from the City of Wabash Redevelopment Commission, Downtown Wabash, Inc. secured $50,000 in façade grant funding. Grants totaling more than $49,000 have been committed for 2025, generating a projected additional $114,000 in new private investment for downtown improvements.
Several downtown properties will benefit from these enhancement projects:
At Borders and Beyond, Amy Ford and Diane Morris are working with Fort Wayne Awning Co. to refresh the
front of the building with a brand-new awning. The updated awning will bring a welcoming touch to the
storefront, improving visibility and appeal for visitors and customers alike. The color and style were chosen to
complement the historic character of Canal Street while giving the shop a polished, professional look.
A block over, Simone Bottone, is partnering with Tekton Industries for a major exterior renovation. The project includes new brick repair and tuckpointing, replacement of energy efficient windows, installation of a new awning, and updates to the entry framing and exterior doors. The result will be a fully revitalized façade that preserves the building’s timeless architecture while ensuring long term structural integrity and energy
efficiency.
Koweba Investments plans to add a historic plaque. It will be affixed to the front façade of the building.
The Wabash County Museum will begin a façade improvement project to enhance the appearance and long
term preservation of its historic 1890 building. The project will focus on repairing and repainting the damaged marquee to prevent further water infiltration, sealing sidewalk joints to stop leaks into the museum’s basement collection area, installing new exterior lighting to improve safety and visibility, and replacing planter boxes with a more permanent design that complements the Market Street streetscape.
Pizza King will install a new traditional fabric awning at its downtown location to enhance the building’s
appearance and streetscape presence. The fabric will be Sunbrella black with a vertical top fabric, and the
valance will be seamlessly joined with the top portion for a clean, cohesive look.
The Francis Shoppe plans to complete an upper story window improvement project to enhance the building’s
historic character and functionality. The project includes reopening six window openings. Brick will be carefully cut to accommodate the installation of new double hung vinyl windows. Each opening will be reinforced with a metal lintel for structural support, and new concrete windowsills will be installed at the base of each window.
Forge Fitness takes on a project that includes replacing two deteriorated south facing garage doors with new
black framed glass doors to match the building’s existing windows, completing necessary brick repair, and
installing updated signage.
These projects, funded in part by the Façade Improvement Grant, demonstrate the positive impact of
community investment and collaboration. Every improvement adds to the beauty and vitality of downtown
Wabash making it a more inviting destination for residents, visitors, and businesses.
Downtown Wabash is currently accepting applications for 2026 Façade Grants
For more information about downtown initiatives, grants, or partnership opportunities, please contact
Mikka@downtownwabash.org
