HomeMy WebLinkAboutTowncrest Facade Improvement Program
TOWNCREST AREA
FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION
PROGRAM GOAL
The City of Iowa City has established the Towncrest Area Façade Improvement
Program (“Program”) to provide technical and financial assistance to Towncrest
property owners or business tenants seeking to renovate or restore commercial
building facades and associated elements, including signage and lighting. The
Program seeks to support the economic vitality of the Towncrest commercial corridor
and to encourage reinvestment and redevelopment throughout the area by improving
the appearance of existing buildings. Promoting a positive image for the Towncrest
area will assist in the retention of existing businesses and encourage business
expansion and new business attraction.
PARTICIPANT ELIGIBILITY
The following are eligible as “Program Participants” to receive Program Grants:
a. Owners of commercial buildings located in the Towncrest area as identified
in Attachment A, Towncrest Urban Renewal Area boundaries.
b. Tenants of commercial buildings located in the Towncrest area; provided that
the Tenant provides a signed and notarized statement from the owner of the
building indicating that the owner has reviewed the proposed improvement
and consents to such improvement.
ELIGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS
Improvements consistent with the Towncrest Design Plan at
www.icgov.org/towncrest as identified below are eligible for assistance through the
Program:
a. Building façade improvements, including, but not limited to window and door
repair;
b. Repair and restoration of architectural details;
c. Painting;
d. Removal of siding or elements inconsistent with the design of the original
building;
e. Storefront rehabilitation;
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f. Awnings;
g. Façade lighting;
h. Signage;
i. Masonry repairs, and tuck pointing;
j. Major landscaping improvements where necessitated by City-sponsored
streetscape improvements;
k. Necessary architectural and other professional services associated with the
design and permitting of eligible improvements.
Proposed improvements that address one or more of the items identified above, but
that do not make a substantial improvement in the appearance of a building’s façade
(e.g., signage upgrades without other improvements, awning repairs rather than
replacements, etc.) are not eligible.
A “building façade” is defined to include any surface of the building that is clearly
visible from the public right of way. A “secondary elevation” is defined as any
elevation other than the one with the main entrance and fronting on a public street
exposed to public view. Secondary elevations may also be eligible for façade grants.
GRANT AMOUNTS
Approved projects are eligible for a grant in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the
cost of the façade improvement. A project may be eligible for a grant in the amount
of seventy-five percent (75%) of the cost of the façade improvement if the City’s
Program Administrator determines that the approved project meets one of the
following criteria:
a. A business owner does not own the property in which he or she is investing
and the improvements will support services or employment in the Towncrest
area. Written permission from the owner must be included with the application
materials.
b. The property is vacant and the property owner can bring in a quality, viable
tenant if the façade improvements are made. A signed-lease agreement is
requested as supporting documentation to meet this criterion.
c. The property owner makes significant private investment to the project as a
whole where the total private investment in non-façade elements is equal to
or greater than the façade grant. Receipts for non-façade elements must be
submitted before distribution of any grant dollars in excess of 50% of façade
improvement costs.
The minimum grant amount is $5,000 and the maximum grant amount is $25,000.
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GRANT PROCESS
Applicants will make a written application for grants on the Program application (see
Attachment B). The completed application must include, at minimum: sufficient
information to determine applicant eligibility, building eligibility and improvement
eligibility, the address of the building of the proposed improvement, the total
estimated cost of the proposed improvement, and the proposed grant amount. The
Program Administrator will make a determination of the applicant’s eligibility, the
building’s eligibility and the project’s eligibility. The City Manager shall make the final
decision approving of denying the grant application. Upon Program grant approval by
the City Manager, the applicant will receive a written notice of a grant award and
amount. The Program Participant and the City Manager will execute a grant
agreement.
PERMITS
The Program Participant shall be responsible for obtaining necessary building
permits and securing a contractor to complete the approved improvement prior to the
commencement of work. All contractors used for work funded through the Program
must be licensed if required by law and must be able to demonstrate their
qualification to perform the authorized work.
DISBURSEMENT PROCESS
The Program Participant shall make reimbursement requests to Program
Administrator in compliance with the provisions of the executed grant agreement.
Requests for reimbursement will only be approved after the Program Participant has
paid to the contractor the total amount of the improvement costs not covered by the
program grant award. The Program Administrator shall verify the payment to
contractors and that the improvements are completed in accordance with the grant
agreement prior to the approval of a reimbursement request.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF IMPROVEMENTS
Program Participants shall be responsible for the adequate care and maintenance of
the improvements for a minimum of five (5) years after of the completion of the work.
DEADLINE
The funding is limited. Applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served
basis until funding is depleted. Please contact the City today to discuss your project.
For Program Application or further information, contact:
Iowa City Department of Planning and Community Development, (319) 356-5230
410 E. Washington Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
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Attn: Wendy Ford, Economic Development Coordinator
(319) 356-5248
wendy-ford@iowa-city.org
or
Attn: Tracy Hightshoe, Associate Planner
(319) 356-5244
tracy-hightshoe@iowa-city.org
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Attachment A: Towncrest Urban Renewal Area boundaries
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Attachment B:
Towncrest Area Façade Contact: Wendy Ford, Program Administrator
Improvement Program 410 E. Washington Street
Application Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 356-5248
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Name: Application Date:
Phone: Approval Date:
Referred by: Max Grant Amount:
DUNS Number:
(http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform) Agreement #:
Shaded area for office use only
BUSINESS INFORMATION
Name of Business: Business/Project Owner’s Name:
Address: Phone: Fax:
E-mail: Website:
Type of Business:
Approx. % of the building occupied by
applicant business: Residential units in building?
PROPERTY OWNER INFORMATION
Name: Years Owned:
Address: Phone:
City/State/Zip:
PROPOSED IMRPOVEMENTS
Estimated Cost of Improvements: $ Grant Amount Requested: $
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Please submit a detailed description of your façade improvement project on a separate sheet. Include
visuals if possible and describe all materials and proposed changes to building façade.
CHECK APPROPRIATELY:
I own the property in consideration I lease the property in consideration*
I have read the Towncrest Façade Improvement Program and Design Guidelines. I understand that if the
proposal is approved, I will make the above improvements to the property in accordance with the
Program Guidelines.
APPLICANT’S SIGNATURE: _________________________________ DATE: __________________
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*If you lease the property in consideration, the Owner must sign below:
I acknowledge that the above-signed Applicant is a tenant in a building which I own and that the Applicant has my
permission to make the alterations to the building in the manner described above in the event that the Applicant is
awarded the grant applied for herein.
OWNER’S SIGNATURE: __________________________ DATE: ____________________