Annapolis Hopes Public Art Will Yield Real Estate Flourish

Annapolis, Md., Mayor Ellen Moyer kicked off a grant application process on September 14, offering up to $10,000 to commercial property owners who add some artistic flair, such as murals, artistic lighting, or other works of art, to their buildings.

The city's Commercial Facade Improvement Grant program is paying for the incentive, but the money, which the winners will match with their own funds, must be used on buildings in the Annapolis arts district.

The city is hoping to stimulate additional artistic touches to buildings in its arts district with the federal grant and hopes that the allure of the public art displays will help boost occupancies in the area.