Weatherford moves to end downtown facade improvement grant after 27 projects, $650K since 2021

Source: Weatherford Democrat (Sally Sexton) · Published 2026-06-11

The City of Weatherford is discontinuing its downtown Facade Improvement Grant Program, which since 2021 has awarded 27 grants totaling more than $650,000. Assistant City Manager Chad Marbut said the program has achieved its goal, with private reinvestment now happening organically without grant incentives; seven grants worth a combined $191,000 were awarded this budget year, leaving about $9,000. Mayor Paul Paschall said the program had generated more complaints than thanks despite repeated adjustments to its rules and guidelines, and that he favored terminating it to 'see what investors in downtown do with their own dollars,' noting the city has redone three of the four downtown quadrants. Some downtown property owners, including resident Jackie Fowler who has worked on multiple downtown buildings, argued the program remains vital for kick-starting larger, more expensive projects. Marbut noted other incentives remain available to business owners, including a Chapter 380 agreement. Source: Weatherford Democrat (Sally Sexton) · Published 2026-06-11

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