But the program is receiving mixed reactions from merchants and service providers.

The Saratoga City Council approved the Facade Improvement Program on April 21. Under it, the city will reimburse business or property owners for 50 percent—up to $5,000—of the cost to repair or improve parts of their buildings visible from Big Basin Way.

Danielle Surdin, economic development coordinator for the city, said the grant reimbursements would allow business owners to repaint, re-landscape, replace signs and awnings or make a number of other changes that would beautify the downtown area.

"We know that our businesses are struggling and would like to make those improvements," Surdin said. "This is a way to help them attract customers. We're hoping it's a catalyst for people to make changes they've always wanted to, but couldn't because of the cost."

Sophie Maddix, owner of clothing boutique Studio Sixty7, said she might be interested in making changes if her property owner allowed it. She said that she and the other business owners in the Saratoga Village Center have tried unsuccessfully to get property manager TRI Commercial to approve changes to the aging building.

"Isn't that lovely?" Maddix asked, referring to the center's bright yellow paint job. "Saratoga needs a facelift badly."

But Maddix said something else needs to be done to draw more customers to the area—a feeling echoed by other business owners.

Mike Wallace, owner of furniture store California Living, said there are few customers coming to his store lately.

"We're not sure we're staying here," Wallace said. "When you look at Los Gatos, business is thriving. Here, it just isn't happening."

He said the facade improvement program wasn't likely to solve that fundamental problem, but that more attractive businesses would. Though he has heard city officials say the Village would need more parking if larger-drawing businesses were there, he said there is plenty of parking right now that people just don't know about.

"I think the city needs to do more advertising," he said. "Maybe every once in a while I'll have trouble finding a spot, but most of the time there is plenty of parking."

Still, some owners thought the program could be helpful as long as the historic element of the area was preserved. Carol Mitchell, owner of antique store Carol's Antique Gallery, said her father owns the building in which her store, a real estate office, and a hair salon reside. While she said the pipes along the side of the building were an eyesore, she said the facade did not really need improvement.

"I would think with the older buildings, you'd want to keep their character," Mitchell said. "I kind of think the front of this building looks nice."

Surdin said funding grants may be requested after July 1.