The transformation of Wollongong's CBD is continuing as 19 businesses apply for Wollongong City Council funding to give their buildings a facelift.

Round one of the council's $600,000 facade rejuvenation program started last year, with 22 property owners given a dollar-for-dollar contribution of up to $20,000 to upgrade 27 shopfronts. Fourteen of these are in west Crown Street.

Work can include repainting facades and windows, removing or relocating airconditioning units, replacing or repairing awnings, and new lighting.

A total of $300,000 was allocated in that round with six renovations already completed, including the IMB building, Lotus Bookstore, Bank of Queensland and Go-Lo buildings in west Crown Street, Kembla Chambers in Crown Street Mall and Jones Dental at the eastern end of the strip.

The public exhibition period for round two applicants closed on November 18. Nineteen property owners have applied for more than $212,000 to help fund facade facelifts. The applications have to go to the council for approval.

The council's economic development manager, Mark Grimson, said it worked like a rebate system.

"The building owners have to do the work and then once the work's complete and they have submitted the relevant paperwork and the council signs off on it, they then submit their claim for 50 per cent up to $20,000," Mr Grimson said.

The facade program, aimed at buildings from west Crown Street to Corrimal Street, was designed to complement the new mall and GPT shopping centre.

"People have commented for many years that some of the facades in our CBD are pretty old and tired and in need of a facelift."