COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY of the CITY OF PLANT CITY INCENTIVE GRANT PROGRAM

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1 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY of the CITY OF PLANT CITY INCENTIVE GRANT PROGRAM COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT 302 W. Reynolds Street, 3 rd Floor P.O. Box C Plant City, Florida Telephone (813) May 22, 2017

2 In an effort to further re-investment into the Community Redevelopment Area (CRA), the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Plant City developed a comprehensive program of financial incentives. The variety of incentives are designed to address multiple goals within the CRA plan. Current funding for the incentives will be provided primarily through the CRA TIFF Trust Funds. Programs are designed for the purpose of stimulating re-investment through historic restoration and rehabilitation, designs for non-contributing structures which make them more compatible with the historic district, repairs which extend the life of the structure, and providing homeowner opportunities. The program is a first come, first served grant program, with some grants requiring matching contributions. All grants are provided on a reimbursement basis. Assistance will not be provided for the same building or business within any two-year period. Incentive Categories include the following three categories: Interior Build-Out Assistance $10,000 Matching Grant Homeowner Downpayment Assistance $5,000 Grant Homeowner Façade and Site Improvement $5,000 Matching Grant Community Redevelopment Agency 5/22/2017 Page 1

3 I. General Program Requirements, Eligibility and Ineligible Activities General Program Requirements Assistance provided under an Incentive Program shall be limited to the following conditions: 1. Projects must be located within the boundaries of the Community Redevelopment Area. If an incentive program is targeted to a specified area within the CRA, there is a map included within the section of guidelines for that incentive, or referred to within that incentive. 2. Funds shall be awarded on a first come, first served basis, with preference given to those applicants who have not received prior Façade Grant or other Incentive Program funding. 3. Funding from the same grant category will not be provided to the same building owner, or business more than once within any two-year period. An exception will be provided when the funding request relates to the occupancy of a new tenant. The tenant must have a minimum of a two-year lease. 4. Applicants for funding assistance must be the property owner, or a tenant. The property owner must certify they approve the proposed renovations for the building. 5. Applicants seeking to complete a comprehensive renovation to a structure may be eligible for assistance through more than one incentive category. Therefore the application package will allow for applicants to submit a funding request to address multiple activities. 6. Applicants are required to schedule an appointment for a pre-application conference with the Community Services Department. 7. Grant funds shall be disbursed on a reimbursable basis. Assisted property owners or building occupants must provide an invoice with all documentation of project expenditures, including copies of canceled checks, contractor invoices, or vendor receipts. Payment for materials and services must be made by check, money order or by credit card. Verification of payment must be submitted with the reimbursement request. Cash receipts are not acceptable. 8. Project Matching Funds Cap: a. Match Required: Grant assistance cannot exceed 50% of the total project costs. The match will not exceed 50% of eligible project expenses approved from the application. b. No Match Required: Grant funds may be utilized for up to 100% of the total project cost. 9. Exterior improvements on buildings deemed to be contributing to a historic district, must comply with Section of the City of Plant City Code. Proposed work on the exterior of such buildings also must be approved by the Plant City Historic Resources Board, or the Plant City Planning Division Staff, and receive a Certificate of Appropriateness for this proposed work. These approvals must be submitted as part of the grant application, and prior to beginning construction or altering an existing façade. 10. All work or fixtures funded through this grant program must meet City Code requirements. Community Redevelopment Agency 5/22/2017 Page 2

4 11. All applications requiring permits, zoning changes or variances, must receive these approvals before the grant funding will be awarded. It is required that all code, health and safety concerns be addressed as part of any grant funded project. 12. The recipient of any funding through this program shall not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, age, sex, marital or family status, national origin or handicap conditions in the sale, lease, use or occupancy of any building funded hereunder, or with the employment, or application for employment, of persons for the operation and management of such building. 13. Projects must be approved by the City s Community Services Department prior to any expenditures or work commencing. 14. Work must be completed within six (6) months of approval. One extension for an additional six (6) months may be granted for, but not limited to, delays caused as a result of the City or a City contractor, a local natural disaster or other situations not within the control of the applicant. Pre-Application Conference Prospective applicants must schedule a pre-application conference with the Community Services Department to discuss the following: 1. The availability and requirements of the grant assistance programs; 2. Eligibility criteria and other specific conditions for receiving grant assistance; and 3. A conceptual description of the proposed project. At the end of the Pre-application Conference, the potential applicant will be provided an application package and guidance on what needs to be completed in order to be considered for funding. Application Process After the Pre-Application Conference, and being advised of funding availability, applicants shall complete and submit the application package for the proposed work. City staff reserves the right to request additional information, or clarification upon review of the application. Each applicant will be required to complete a basic application and supplemental attachments which relate specifically to the grant program from which they are seeking assistance. Applications must provide all information outlined within the application package, including the cover sheet, attachments, supporting documentation and the checklist. Community Redevelopment Agency 5/22/2017 Page 3

5 Determination of Eligibility The City s Community Services Department staff shall review the application, and determine its eligibility based upon, but not limited to criteria outlined below. After review, staff shall notify the applicant in writing of any grant award. 1. Project is for one of the following: (a) building that houses a commercial or industrial activity, (b) the primary residence of a homeowner, or (c) first time homeowner client approved for a home purchase; 2. Project meets the criteria established for that specific incentive activity; 3. Project complies with all federal, state, and local regulations and policies; 4. Applicant has received a Certificate of Appropriateness from the local Historic Resources Board, or the Planning Division for exterior improvements on buildings deemed to be contributing to a historic district, or determined to be an archaeological or historical site; and 5. Applicant certifies that the required match and/or other funds required to complete the project has been secured. Funding Restrictions Assistance is contingent upon funds being available through the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). The CRA does not directly, indirectly or contingently obligate itself to make any appropriation of any kind, or pledge any form of taxation to support this program. Community Redevelopment Agency 5/22/2017 Page 4

6 II. Interior Build-Out Assistance Matching Grant (New and Expansion Only) To encourage renovation of under-utilized, and vacant space within existing buildings located within the Community Redevelopment Area. This grant will provide assistance with interior renovations for property owners in order for them to market this space with updated improvements. Additionally, it will allow property owners and building occupants to repair and rehabilitate interior, unused portions of existing buildings, in order to expand the existing business. Interior Build-Out Assistance Matching Grant shall be provided as follows: One-to-one matching grants, up to $10,000 per building, will be provided to assist eligible property owners or building occupants with up to 50% of the project costs required to complete the interior renovations, Grants are intended for physical renovations, equipment and furnishings, which may include new carpeting, cabinetry, lighting, walls, electrical/plumbing upgrades, handicapped accessibility, installation of attached features, grease traps, utility connections, venting systems, sprinkler systems, solid waste and recycling management. Funds may also be utilized to correct identified code violations such as electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire protection, handicapped accessibility, or health and safety issues. Eligible uses will include sit-down restaurants, coffee/tea shops, bakeries, commissary (shared) kitchens, catering, grocery stores, produce markets, health food stores, other specialty food stores, and new retail product sales, such as clothing, shoes, gift, art galleries or artisan shops and work space studios, drug or hardware stores, residential, and commercial offices. Incubators or work spaces that create shared spaces would be considered eligible. Priority will be given to those projects targeting loft apartment residential units. May be used by existing, eligible businesses to expand, such as adding additional seating in a restaurant. Community Redevelopment Agency 5/22/2017 Page 5

7 III. Homeowner Downpayment Assistance Grant Provides a $5,000 subsidy for eligible first time homeowners at 120% and below the area median income. Income limits shown below would be updated annually per HUD requirements. The program is targeted to a neighborhood in which the City owns a number of single family residential lots. This program is designed to stimulate the development of these vacant lots into owner occupied housing Income Limits, Florida Housing Finance Agency The subsidy would only be available for new, conventional single family construction within the CRA. The subsidy would only be available to write down the closing cost or down payment for purchasers qualified through a conventional lending source. The potential client could be a participant in a program offered or administered by a nonprofit affordable housing organization. The client would be required to show proof of pre-qualification through the lender. Funds would be distributed only at closing for the approved purpose. This assistance shall subordinate to the primary lenders. Assistance shall be forgiven over 5 years at 20% per year. If the homeowner sells the home prior to that time period, the remaining balance will become due to the CRA. Community Redevelopment Agency 5/22/2017 Page 6

8 IV. Homeowner Façade & Site Improvement Grant This program will provide up to $5,000 in matching grant funds for homesteaders. Grant funds may be used to complete exterior repairs and site improvements designed to enhance a property s curb appeal within the CRA. Eligible homes must be conventional, single family, owner occupied residences. Homeowners must have qualified for homestead exemption and resided in the residence for a minimum of two years. Property taxes and mortgage(s) must be current. Assistance is provided as a grant for the purpose of rehabilitating the principle façade, as well as lawn improvements including landscaping, driveways, and other improvements. The facade means the exterior face of a building, that which is readily visible to the public and is often seen within the context of other buildings facing a street or other public right-of-way. Homeowner Façade and Site Improvement Matching Grant shall be provided as follows: One-to-one matching grants, up to $5,000 per building, will be provided to assist eligible property owners or building occupants with up to 50% of the project costs required to complete rehabilitation of the principal façade. Assistance shall be limited to one grant per residence within any 24 month period. Funds shall be awarded on a first come, first served basis, with preference given to those applicants who have not received prior funding under this program. If the property is located within a historic district, any exterior improvements on buildings deemed to be contributing to a historic district proposed work must be approved by the Plant City Historic Resources Board or the City Planning Division. The recipients of any monies provided under this program shall not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, age, sex, marital or family status, national origin or handicap conditions in the sale, lease, use or occupancy of any building funded hereunder, or with the employment, or application for employment, of persons for the operation and management of such building. Residents may be provided assistance through a partnering agency to develop the scope of work and complete the application. Eligible Repairs and Improvements include the following: Awnings Cleaning & Painting Entranceway Improvements Lighting Front Porch repairs Landscaping/Irrigation Driveways Gutter repairs Replacement of rotten wood Siding Door replacement Window & shutter replacement Community Redevelopment Agency 5/22/2017 Page 7