Two downtown businesses will get facelifts thanks in part to grant funds provided by the St. Cloud Economic Development Authority.

Between them, Waldo's Pizza and Dolsie's Lunchbox Grille received $11,750 in funds.

The Downtown Exterior Improvement Grant exists to "(provide) incentives to stimulate external, visible investment in downtown properties," city documents said.

The EDA is providing up to $10,000 per grant while funds are available, according to city documents. Grants are for a 50/50 match, meaning applicants who receive $10,000 are spending at least $10,000 themselves.

"Property owners and business owners are encouraged to consider improvements incorporating aesthetic, environmental, cultural and historical elements that enhance downtown character and architecture," according to city documents. "These improvements should create a cohesive, attractive environment."

According to the EDA, preference is given to projects that "positively contribute to downtown revitalization efforts, result in significant visible improvement that would not otherwise be made and that demonstrate a ratio of private to public greater than 2:1."

Waldo's Pizza received a $10,000 grant to help the business apply two-toned stucco to the building exterior and to add an awning and lighting. The estimated project cost is $30,000.

Waldo's Pizza owner Mike Henning said the business removed the vinyl siding covering the building's exterior for the past 30 years this spring and has done "extensive" repairs.

He hopes the stucco project partially funded by this grant will happen this fall, though progress is weather-dependent.

Henning said the new stucco will be more complementary toward the overall downtown aesthetic.

"When I bought the building, I knew it was the ugliest building in downtown," he said. "It's something that I knew in the future we wanted to do."

Dolsie's Lunchbox Grille also received a grant for $1,750 so the business could replace its awning.

Four projects requesting a combined $36,000 were not recommended for funding.

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: 2 downtown buildings to get prettier after grant funds approved