The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved a $50,000 loan that will help a local barbecue restaurant renovate its facade.

The five-year, forgivable loan will go to improve the front of the Moe’s Original BBQ at 731 29th St. South in the Lakeview area.

Councilor Crystal Smitherman asked city staff why the business needed the city’s loan.

Meghan Venable-Thomas, the city’s director of community development, said the establishment experienced a fire a few years ago and the loan will pay for improvements such as exterior painting and siding replacement. Once the renovations are complete, the Lakeview Moe’s can serve patrons in an outdoor courtyard area, Venable-Thomas said.

After questions from Smitherman, Venable-Thomas said all of the city’s loans for facade improvements are set up as forgivable loans requiring the businesses to employ at least one new full-time worker for every $35,000 borrowed. Moe’s expects to hire two staff members after the renovations are complete, she said.

Chaz Mitchell, chief of operations, also told the council that offering such loans helps the city qualify for federal tax credits designed to stimulate growth in low-income areas.

Smitherman said all that sounded good to her. “I’m in full support. I was just doing this for informational purposes only,” she said.

The council passed the agreement unanimously.

According to Venable-Thomas, the city has helped 40 businesses over the past three or four years through such loans.

Businesses can apply for the façade improvement loans on the city’s Community Development Department’s website, though Venable-Thomas said the city currently has new applications on hold while it reviews previously filed ones.