What are Perpendicular (blade) Signs? 

• Signs that are placed perpendicular to the building. 

What are the Benefits? 

• Perpendicular (blade) signs are seen ten times more frequently than façade-mounted signs. 
• Signs placed perpendicular to the building allow drivers and pedestrians to read them easily, even from a distance. 
• When walking down a street, face-mounted signs are less notable and are usually first noted when a person is positioned directly in front of the business. When driving, the sign may not be noted at all. 

Suggestion 

• Blade signs should be decorative and should fit the architecture of your building, reflect the nature of your business, and the ambience of the city. 

Note: Applicable to Perron District only.
 

The City of St. Albert invites you to "Cultivate Life” by installing an artistic bike rack in front of or behind your business. 

What are Artistic Bike Racks?

An artistic bike rack is designed to attract visual attention while also acting as a rack and/or locking utility for bicyclists/patrons.

What are the Benefits?

• Visual and/or artistic attraction in front of or behind your business.
• Allows other modes of transportation to and from your business, creating a larger demographic of clientele.
• Allows safe access to your business for cyclists.
• Allows clients with pets a safe place to tie their animal(s) when they visit.

Suggestion

The City of St. Albert is known as the "Botanical Arts City" and its slogan is "Cultivate Life". Choosing any sort of tree, bush, flower, leaf, nature or botanic themed element for your artistic bike rack is recommended.

Requirements

• Your bike rack design must be pre-approved.
• For more information, please contact: 
  economicdevelopment@stalbert.ca

Street furniture that reinforces the botanical arts brand will be considered for the program.

Benefits

Street furniture does the following:

• Adds to the ambience of an area
• Encourages people to stay longer
• Adds visual/artistic appeal to your business

Suggestion

Street furniture that is designed with a botanical arts theme (nature, tree, bush, flower, leaf, etc.) is recommended.

Requirements

• Pre-approval of your street furniture element is required.
• For more in formation, please contact: 
  economicdevelopment@stalbert.ca

Flower planters may be ordered from the supplier of your choice and can contain any plant selections that you desire.

Benefits

• Adds to the ambience of an area
• Encourages people to stay longer
• Adds visual appeal to your business

Suggestion

Petunias are recommended because:

• The petunia is the official flower of St. Albert
• They grow quickly
• They are available in a variety of vibrant colours
• They are effusive bloomers

St. Albert Brand - The Botanical Arts City.  In February 2010, City Council officially endorsed the city brand “The Botanical Arts City.” The brand invites you to “Cultivate Life” in St. Albert. The commercial area beautification program will provide you with a financial incentive to “Cultivate Your Business” in St. Albert. 

Studies have shown that beautification alone can increase sales between 15% and 35%. Merchants should think of the sidewalks fronting their shops as extensions of their window displays, or as entry halls to their stores. 

Beautiful settings attract people. Adding flowers, trees and outdoor furnishings to a shopping district makes it more inviting and encourages patrons to stay longer. 

• Any storefront business within the City that has a valid business license is eligible for the Beautification Program. 
• Home-based businesses do not qualify. 
• If your business has reached the maximum allowable grant in any element ($2,500), you will only be able to access up to a maximum of $500 per element in each additional calendar year. 
• A business may submit multiple applications; however, the applications will be processed in the order in which they are received. The beautification program is managed cooperatively through Economic Development and the Planning & Development Department of the City of St. Albert. 

Permits will be required for perpendicular signs, street furniture and bike racks. 

• Any questions regarding permits should be directed to Planning & Development at 780-459-1642 
• Bike rack designs should be sent to info@stalbert.ca

All beautification may be ordered from the supplier of your choice, or you can choose to create your own planters. All components of the planter (e.g. soil, pot, plants, etc.) are eligible as long as a receipt is provided.

Before you apply, please note the following:

• The Beautification Program Grant has limited annual funds available.
• Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
• All submissions must come with receipts for elements purchased, as this grant is for reimbursable expenses that take place within the calendar year.
• The program is grant-based, with each merchant being able to apply for funding up to 50% of the cost of approved program elements, up to a maximum of $2500 per element.

After you've submitted your application, you will receive an email request to fill out and submit the following agreement to civicgrants@stalbert.ca

• Beautification Grant Program Agreement