Façade Improvement Program Application Applicant Information Name: Phone: Property Owner Information Name: Address: Type of Ownership: Owner’s Signature-Improvements Improvements Approved Approved: Business Information Name of Business: Address: Type of Business: # of Jobs Created: Proposed Improvements Storefront Improvements:
Email Address: Referred by:
Contact: Phone: Years Owned:
Date of Last Use:
Business Owner’s Name: Phone: Upper Floor Use: # of Jobs Retained: Estimated Cost of Improvements: ements:
Upper Façade Improvements: Other Improvements: Check appropriately: _____ I own the property in consideration
_____ I lease the property in consideration
I have read the Façade Improvement Program Criteria and Requirements. I understand that if the proposal is approved, I will make the above improvements to the property within the specified time allowed. APPLICANT’S SIGNATURE: Mail completed applications and a supporting documentation to Beth Fields, Program P Director, Urban Enterprise Associattion of Richmond, 50 North Fifth Street, Richmon nd, IN 47374 or email to bfields@richmondindiiana.gov. Incomplete applications packages wiill not be considered. If you have questions, q please contact Beth at 765.983.7396. Page 1 of 4
Façade Improvement Program OBJECTIVES AND CRITERIA All applications for the Façade Imprrovement Program will be reviewed for compliance with the following Objectives and Criteria. PROGRAM OBJECTIVE: Restoring, or substantially beautifying, or enhancing the entire façade or elevation of a commercial building. GENERAL CRITERIA FOR THE FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM 1. The Program is intended to assist property owners or tenants with improvements or restorat restorations of the esthetics and architectural appearance of a complete building façade. The Program is not intended for repairs or maintenance activities. 2. The Program is intended to assist projects that promote retail activities, create an attractive environment, t, encourage neighborhood character and architectural design, use quality materials, and incorporate good design concepts. Projects meeting these objectives are eligible for a grant for up to one half the cost of facade improvements. improv 3. The Program is intended ed to assist small private businesses. Property owners of service or commercial/mixed-use use structures and building tenants, with leases of more than one year in length, are eligible. 4. The funds may be used to rehabilitate, enhance, or beautify the structure or to restore the historical appearance of a building.. Eligible items include uncovering and restoring historical façades, removing existing façade materials and replacing them with more appropriate and attractive designs and materials, and other detailing detailing which leads to a substantially enhanced appearance. Although not eligible for funding on their own, own the following may be funded as part of a more comprehensive façade improvement: improvement: windows, doors, exterior cleaning, tuckpointing, painting, exterior lighting, shutters, gutters, awnings, and historical architectural elements. The Program will only fund projects that significantly improve the visual appearance of the whole façade of the t property from the street. Design and permit fees associated with the construction are also eligible projects costs. 5. Grants will be provided in an amount up to 50% of the total project cost, to a maximum of $20,000 per street facing façade. Maximum amounts amou would range from $20,000 for a single street facing façade and $40,000 for a building with two facades. The owner/tenant must use private funds to match the Façade Improvement grant. 6. Review of a specific application will be completed by a team consisting consisting of individuals representing the following areas: Center City; Design; Department of Metropolitan Development; Redevelopment Commission, Urban Enterprise Association of Richmond; Historic Preservation; and Planning. 7. Properties located in the following target area are eligible for priority points: East Main Street, from Fifth to Tenth, Properties on 8th or 9th between North & South A Page 2 of 4
8. Properties that are not eligible: a. Tax delinquent property b. Property whose owner has any other tax delinquent property c. Property in Litigation d. Property in condemnation or receivership e. Exclusively residential buildings SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM 1. Projects must be started within 30 days following approval and completed within 120 days. Extensions to the 120-day completion period may be granted for inclement weather, or the ordering of special building materials. If the applicant requests an extension in writing, the Urban Enterprise Association will notify the applicant of its approval or denial. 2. The owner/tenant/contractor shall obtain the required permits before beginning the construction work. Copies of the permits shall be furnished to the Urban Enterprise Association staff. 3. Owner/tenant will pay for the completed construction work and submit paid receipts to the Urban Enterprise Association for payment. Proof of completion and compliance with code requirements will be required before reimbursement. ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM REQUEST SUBMITTALS 1. Applications must be submitted to the Urban Enterprise Association, 50 North Fifth Street, Richmond, IN 47374 or bfields@richmondindiana.gov. 2. The application from an owner should include a copy of the building deed, or land contract. An application from a tenant must include a copy of the lease and written approval from the owner for the application. 3. Applications must include photographs of the facades to be improved and any documentation necessary to illustrate the visual impact of the proposed project. 4. Two competitive proposals from contractors. These proposals should give detailed information about the work to be done, the costs, and the project completion schedule. Any contractor that has submitted a competitive detailed estimate may be used. Contractors cannot be changed unless new proposals have been submitted and approved by the Façade Improvement Review Committee. 5. Owners or merchants, who are in the contracting business and intend to perform work on their own properties or businesses, must furnish at least one proposal other than their own. APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM 1. Following submission of the application, the proposal will be reviewed with the owner/tenant, a site visit will be conducted, the proposal will be referred to the review committee for comments and recommendations, and if the proposal meets the requirements of the Façade Improvement Program, a conditional letter of approval will be forwarded to the owner/tenant. This letter may require improvements or changes in order to qualify for the Grant. 2. An applicant, if approved, will receive a commitment letter from the Urban Enterprise Association stating the approval and any conditions appropriate to the approval.
Page 3 of 4
AWARD REIMBURSEMENT Reimbursement shall be limited to no more than 50% of the total cost of approved improvements, not to exceed $20,000 per storefront. Larger buildings with more than one storefront and/or more than one side visible (on a corner) may be considered for a larger grant on a case by case basis. The Urban Enterprise Association of Richmond reserves the right to refuse reimbursements in whole or in part for work that: • •
Does not conform to the proposals submitted with your application and approved by the Façade Improvement Review Committee. Is not started within 30 days of approved and completed within 120 days. Since the Façade Improvement Committee cannot reserve funds indefinitely, your grant may be subject to cancellation if not completed or significant progress hasn’t been made by the completion date. Requests for extensions will be considered only if made in writing and progress towards completion has been demonstrated.
The Façade Improvement Review Committee will inspect work to ensure that it complies with the approved plans. REQUIRED MATERIALS FOR REIMBURSEMENT Reimbursement can be expected in approximately two to four weeks after all of the following documentation has been submitted. •
• •
Copies of all paid invoices, canceled checks (bank statements) and lien waiver for all of the façade work covered by the grant. These must equal at least the required matching amount. All project expenditures must be paid by check, money order or credit card. The invoices must be marked paid, signed and dated by the contractors. Cash payments are not acceptable. Lien waivers cannot be substituted for canceled checks or bank statements. Color photographs of completed projects.
GRANT IS A 5 YEAR FORGIVEABLE LOAN Recipients of Façade Improvement Program funds must retain ownership of the building for five full years from the date the project is completed. In order to enforce this provision, the UEA will record a five-year forgivable mortgage (secured by a promissory note) against the property in the amount of the UEA’s share of the total project cost. Loans will be forgiven at the rate of twenty percent of the mortgage value per year. In the event that the building changes ownership during the five year period, the unforgiven amount of the mortgage will become due and payable to the UEA.
Page 4 of 4