The grants are part of the city's downtown strategic redevelopment plan. Approved by the City Council in 2007, the plan seeks to revitalize the city's core at a time when growth and development are expanding the city's borders in nearly every direction.
The city's efforts aren't focused only on the aesthetics of downtown.
The city partners with Noblesville Main Street to host events meant to bring people downtown.
One of those is First Friday, which began in October 2007. Last year's events included a soup cook-off, carriage rides and live concerts.
Plans beyond 2009 include enhancing Riverwalk, a trail that the county has built from its parking lot south of Conner Street.