FACADE IMPROVEMENT & CODE CORRECTION MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM

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1 FACADE IMPROVEMENT & CODE CORRECTION MATCHING 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 Façade Improvement and Code Correction Matching Grant The City of Plant City s Facade Improvement & Code Correction Matching Grant Program is designed to improve the visual appearance of structures within Plant City s Community Redevelopment Area (CRA). The program provides funding for property owners and building occupants to repair and rehabilitate buildings located within the CRA. Assistance is provided through matching grants for the purpose of rehabilitating or restoring the principle façade, or to make eligible repairs to correct any code deficiencies within existing buildings used for commercial or industrial activities. For the purpose of this grant program, 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. A. 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. 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 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 twoyear 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 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. 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 City of Plant City Façade Improvement & Code Correction Matching Grant Program May 22, 2017 Page 1

3 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. And, if required, a letter of approval must be provided by the State of Florida Historic Preservation Officer. These approvals must be submitted as part of the grant application, and prior to beginning construction or altering an existing façade. The City Planning Division will provide guidance to an applicant regarding when they must also receive a letter of approval from the State of Florida. 10. All work or fixtures funded through this grant program must meet City Code requirements. 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. B. Funding Requirements: 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 rehabilitation of the principal façade. Funds may be utilized for the removal of non-historic façade features, the repair of façade brick, restoration of historic features, repair or replacement of windows, canopies, balconies and other permanent features that will restore the historic character of the building. Grant funds may be utilized to correct identified code violations, including but not limited to, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire protection, handicapped accessibility, or health and safety issues. Secondary improvements may be approved but cannot exceed 50% of the total project. These improvements may include improvements to side elevations visible from the street, roof reconstruction or repair, mechanical equipment enclosure, screening, or service area improvements. City of Plant City Façade Improvement & Code Correction Matching Grant Program May 22, 2017 Page 2

4 Funding cannot be utilized to address regular maintenance of the building. Maintenance items can be incorporated into a larger rehabilitation project in which those cost are incurred by the applicant. Features such as awnings, canopies, signage and shutters can only be funded for replacement as part of a larger restoration/rehabilitation project, or improvements proposed by a new building owner or for a new tenant. The improvements must be for a new use or new occupant of space within the building, and the application for funding must be submitted; 1) within the first six months of ownership, 2) for a tenant it must be within the first six months of occupancy, or 3) for a tenant moving into the building at the time of the application. An exception may be considered if the building owner can provide evidence that the improvement is to restore a feature back to its historic character. Architectural and engineering fees, if included as part of the approved rehabilitation or restoration project, shall be an eligible expense, but will be limited to no more than 10% of the grant, and a copy of the signed plans will be required to be submitted. C. 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. D. 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. City of Plant City Façade Improvement & Code Correction Matching Grant Program May 22, 2017 Page 3

5 E. 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. If applicable, applicant has received a Certificate of Appropriateness from the local Historic Resources Board, or the Planning Division, and obtained the approval of the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) 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. F. Funding Restrictions Assistance is contingent upon funds being available through the federally funded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. The City of Plant City 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. City of Plant City Façade Improvement & Code Correction Matching Grant Program May 22, 2017 Page 4