Let’s Work Together!
The South of 6 Business District is proud to launch the GreenScape Grant Program, a matching grant designed to help businesses and property owners beautify their spaces with sustainable, visible, and low-maintenance landscaping.
This program supports our shared vision of a vibrant, attractive, and welcoming corridor that benefits residents, visitors, and customers. Together, we can transform Keokuk Street and the broader district into a thriving green oasis that boosts property values, increases foot traffic, and creates community pride.
Growing Community Pride Through Green Spaces
What’s the Goal of the Program?
The GreenScape Grant Program focuses on four outcomes that benefit the entire district:
District Beautification
5–8 high-quality projects that dramatically improve curb appeal.
Street Activation
More color, greenery, and seasonal vibrancy for an enjoyable walking and shopping experience.
Low-Maintenance Solutions
Sustainable designs that use native plants requiring less water and care.
Business Engagement
5–7 businesses leading by example to create a greener, more sustainable district.
Projects We Have Supported
New Coffee Shop.
New Sign.
With support from the South of Six Business District, Zoetic Coffee has added updated exterior signage and vinyl window graphics along the Highway 6 corridor. These improvements enhance visibility, bring new life to the building, and help make the space feel more approachable and inviting. Thoughtful signage like this plays a key role in creating a warmer streetscape—supporting local businesses while helping the south side of Iowa City feel more active, connected, and welcoming.
Dream City Sign Improvement
The South of Six Business District is proud to support new exterior signage at Dream City, helping make this important community space more visible and easier to find. Located near Kaikak, the new sign adds warmth and presence to the building while strengthening Dream City’s connection to the surrounding neighborhood. Improvements like this help create a more welcoming, safer, and more inviting south side of Iowa City—a place where people feel encouraged to gather, connect, and belong.
Our grant program is designed to support projects that are visible to the public, improve the look and feel of the South of 6 district, and create lasting value for the businesses and community around you.
If your project is an exterior, customer facing improvement that helps strengthen the district, there’s a good chance it qualifies. Projects must be located within the South of 6 boundaries and be completed within 90 days of approval.
Projects typically do not qualify if they are indoor only, routine upkeep or ongoing maintenance, outside the district, or primarily for private use with little public impact.
To make sure your idea is a fit, we encourage you to review the full program guides below.
Does My Project Qualify for the Program?
South of 6 Grant Programs
South of 6 Small Business Grant Opportunities
Green Scape Matching Grant
If your project involves improvements such as planter boxes, seasonal displays, rain gardens, tree plantings, or pollinator-friendly landscaping, there’s a good chance it qualifies.
Storefront & Signage Matching Grant
If your project includes storefront improvements like signage, paint, lighting, or window upgrades, there’s a good chance this grant could be for you. Learn more about our Storefront Improvement Grants.
Applications will be reviewed after the first Wednesday of the month following the application deadline. Once partners have been selected, all applicants will be notified.
If you have not heard from the South of 6 District, that means applications are still under review.
Disclaimer: If your situation is time-sensitive, this process may not be appropriate for your needs. Submission of an application is not a guarantee of funding. Submitting an application without a meeting with the Executive Director may result in disqualification from the program.
