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Two commercial buildings on Northeast Alberta Street have been selected by – an economic development non-profit – to receive $5,000 each from for sustainable façade improvements.

After seven building owners applied for the organization’s inaugural Façade Improvements Program – asking for a total of $30,000 – Alberta Main Street‘s board selected two buildings: 1700-1726 N.E. Alberta St. and 2734-2738 N.E. Alberta St. Tenants in the first building include the Community Cycling Center, All Teased Up Hair Salon, Mimosa Studio and Earl’s Barbershop. Al Forno Ferruzza Pizzeria and Six Days Art are tenants in the second building.

The building owners will now get together with the organization’s architect, Brian Emerick of the Portland-based , in order to design the façade improvements. The money can be used for sustainable improvements to the building’s façade, signage or awnings. The only stipulation is that improvements must be to areas visible from the public way.

Alberta is one of three areas – the other two being St. John’s and Hillsdale – selected by the city last year to take part in Portland’s Main Street Program. The program is a four-point strategy to neighborhood commercial district revitalization developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Façade improvements on Northeast Alberta Street are expected to get underway on June 15, with a tentative completion date set for the end of August. Building owners are required to at least match the funds provided by the organization.