INTENSIVE BLOCK Façade Improvement Program Planning + Development Services Department 1034 E. Levee Street, 2nd Floor 956-548-6150
Program Guidelines The City of Brownsville has established an Intensive Block Façade Improvement Program (FIP) that provides grants to property and business owners seeking to rehabilitate commercial buildings located within the Main Street District in downtown Brownsville. Façade improvements increase property values, improve the marketability of space within the buildings and attract investors and residents to the area. As part of a Main Street Brownsville incentive program, the FIP aims to encourage quality redevelopment in downtown Brownsville and eliminate blight one block at a time. In an effort to achieve a concentrated impact on blight and complement the City s current downtown revitalization efforts, the FIP s primary focus is on the commercial buildings located within the Main Street District. Objectives in Target Area Reduce blight and prevent further deterioration of commercial buildings. Preserve the original character of buildings. Reduce vacancies in storefronts and upper floors. Encourage private investment in commercial buildings. Improve economic vitality of downtown. Stimulate future economic investment in downtown. Figure 1. Main Street District boundaries Program Funding The City of Brownsville is a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement community and receives annual grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Intensive Block Façade Improvement Program (FIP) is funded through the City of Brownsville s CDBG program. Funding is limited and grants will be subject to funding availability. Program Description The FIP offers reimbursements of up to 50% of eligible rehabilitation costs. Façade restoration will be based on historic photographs, original drawings, and other local historical artifacts. Only projects that are located in the Main Street District are eligible (see Figure 1). A minimum investment of $5,000 is required. NOTE: At this time, properties located outside of the Main Street District will not be considered for funding. Examples of Reimbursement: Total Project Cost: $75,000 $37,500 $30,000 $15,000 Reimbursement Amount: $4,500 $0 ( $5K minimum investment required) 2
Program Eligibility Ownership. The applicant shall comply with the following: Own the property with a fee simple title. If the applicant is a tenant, notarized written consent from the property owner is required. Property taxes must be current. All accounts must be in good standing with the City (no outstanding fines, debts or liens). Property cannot have current code enforcement violations that would not be mitigated by the project. Target Area. Property and business owners located within the Main Street District are eligible to participate in the FIP (see Figure 1). Prior Grant Recipient. A property and/or tenant will be ineligible for the program if the proposed property has received public assistance for commercial or façade rehabilitation within the last five (5) years. Other Considerations. Any existing building, regardless of condition, could benefit from a façade grant however, because of limited program funding, a building that is structurally sound and is in need of only cosmetic improvements provides the most value to the program. Figure 2. Current Revitalization Area 3 Figure 3. Anatomy of a Main Street Building Eligible Activities The reimbursement grant may be used for following eligible activities: Façade Improvements Re-pointing of masonry (including brick) Removal of vinyl, aluminum or other non-historic siding Renovation of covered entrances Replacement, reparation, installation, painting, or restoration of: Windows, shutters and exterior doors Cornices, parapets, gutters, and downspouts Exterior wood work, architectural sheet metals and cast iron elements Painting of façade, when completed in conjunction with other façade work Storefront Improvements Installation or removal of signage, awnings and lighting. Signage must be in accordance with Sec. 348-1531 and Chapter 328 of the City s code of ordinance Installation of new exterior lighting Storefront window replacement Masonry cleaning Basic cosmetic work such as painting, when in conjunction with other façade work Installation of new open-grid, roll-down security gates in the building s interior Lead and Asbestos Depending on the project scope, lead and asbestos testing may be required. If the building tests positive for either lead or asbestos, the costs of remediation are eligible.
4 BEFORE AFTER Figure 4. Puente Art Studio located at 741 E. Elizabeth Street was a recipient of a 2013 Façade Improvement Program grant. Eligible Activities (continued) Soft Costs. Fees for architectural design, engineering, financing and legal fees, and other pre- and postconstruction expenses are eligible program costs. The use of architects and engineers is highly encouraged. Labor and Materials. Costs of labor, materials, supplies and other expenses required for the rehabilitation of property. Code Corrections. Interior commercial rehabilitation projects may be eligible however, it shall be to correct building code violations documented by the City of Brownsville s Building and Permitting division. Exterior code correction work is not eligible. NOTE: Projects funded with CDBG funds are required to have all systems brought up to code. For example, if wiring is being brought up to code, it must be verified that the panel box also meets code. Ineligible Activities Examples of ineligible activities may include, but are not limited to the following: Installation of vinyl or aluminum siding Improvements to the building s interior Upper-story additions to existing buildings Roofing improvements HVAC improvement Structural foundation improvements Security bars Sidewalks and/or paving Purchase of tools, office equipment and supplies Application Process Application Review. All applications will be reviewed by an Ad Hoc Committee comprised of the Planning Director or designee, Historic Preservation Officer, Main Street Manager, and the project manager of the FIP. The Committee reserves the right to make design changes. Applications approved by the Ad Hoc Committee will be subject to review by the Texas Main Street Program s project design team and approval from the Historic Preservation Review and Design Board before any work can begin. Work cannot begin prior to the approval of the project from all parties. Any changes to the project scope after it has been approved by all parties will result in denial of reimbursement. Evaluation Criteria. Projects will be subject to threshold review to determine eligibility. Threshold criteria include: Applications shall be complete and include necessary attachments. Applicants shall own the property with a fee simple title or tenant shall provide a notarized statement from property owner. Applicants shall be in good standing with the City. Applications meeting the threshold criteria will be scored according to the following selection criteria: The applicant s ability to develop and submit a complete design concept. Rehabilitation of historic properties that are in danger of loss due to neglect. Rehabilitation of vacant buildings or retail space that will improve the Main Street District. Rehabilitation that addresses immediate health and safety concerns. Rehabilitation that corrects code violations. Project Selection. Applicants will be notified in writing of the final status of the application. If the application is approved, the Applicant shall be issued a Notice to Proceed after entering into an agreement with the City stipulating the terms and conditions of participation. The City of Brownsville has a Historic Preservation Office that was created for the long-term protection of Brownsville s historical, architectural, archeological, and cultural resources. The Historic Preservation Officer is charged with identifying, evaluating, caring for and conserving the City's built historical resources. The Historic Preservation Review and Design Board is tasked with authorizing modifications to structures located within the 011 Historic Overlay District. Downtown Brownsville is located within the 011 Historic Overlay District therefore, all approved projects must be approved by the Historic Preservation Review and Design Board. For more information about the Historic Preservation Office, visit planning.cob.us. Historic Preservation Office 1034 E. Levee Street, 2nd Floor Brownsville, Texas 78520 956-548-6150
Program Requirements Work Guidelines. Through the FIP, the City aims to encourage historic preservation and sustainability in improvements that are financially feasible to the applicants. All improvements must be in accordance to the following: City s building codes Zoning ordinances State and local law Design guidelines approved by the Historic Preservation Review and Design Board Guidelines, specifications and rules of the Texas Historical Commission, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, The Environmental Protection Agency, and the Secretary of Interior. NOTE: When in doubt about work being considered, refer to the Secretary of Interior s Standards for Rehabilitation. Environmental Review. All proposed project sites are required to undergo an environmental assessment and impact review conducted by City. The State Historic Preservation Office will review the proposed scope of work and architectural plans. NOTE: Reimbursements to the applicants are contingent upon the successful completion of an environmental review, therefore no façade work can begin until the assessment is completed and approved. Planning Division staff will work with all applicants throughout the entire environmental review process. Regulatory Approvals. The applicant will be responsible for obtaining necessary regulatory approvals where applicable. All work must comply with local, state and federal regulations, such as rules and regulations of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Project Compliance. All work must be completed by licensed and bonded contractors that legally operate in the City of Brownsville. For a list of approved contractors, please contact the Purchasing and Contract Services Department. The applicant is responsible for obtaining the necessary site permits for all work. For more information regarding permits, please contact the Building and Permitting Division. 5 BEFORE AFTER Figure 5. Anita s Gourmet Tortilleria y Comida located at 603 E. Jefferson Street was a recipient of the 2013 Façade Improvement Project recipient. BEFORE AFTER Figure 6. The rehabilitation of the Old City Jail located at 1144 E. Madison Street was a 2013 Façade Improvement project. Promotional Rights. By accepting the FIP grant, the applicant authorizes the City to promote the project and property including, but not limited to, displaying a sign at the site during and after construction indicating participation in the program, and using photographs and descriptions of the project and property in the City s printed promotional materials, press releases, and websites. Project Maintenance. By accepting the FIP grant, the applicant agrees to properly maintain all facade improvements for a minimum of 5 years at the applicant s own cost and expense. Any damage to the facade is to be repaired immediately by the applicant so that the property remains in good condition. The applicant will be strongly encouraged to touch up painted areas and perform any other repairs needed on an ongoing basis and to maintain the building appearance (i.e. the cleaning of awnings and window glass). The applicant also agrees to reimburse the City if the improvements included in the project scope are removed within five (5) years of project completion. Davis-Bacon and Related Acts. The Davis-Bacon Act prevailing wage provisions apply to projects that receive over $2,000 in federal funding for construction projects through grants. Under this Act, contractors and subcontractors must pay their workers no less than the locally prevailing wages and fringe benefits for corresponding work on similar projects in the area. Section 3. Section 3 requirements apply to projects that involve work arising in connection with the construction or rehabilitation of a HUD-assisted project. Section 3 ensures that employment or contracting opportunities are awarded to low- and very low-income persons or businesses residing in the area. Women Owned & Minority-Owned Businesses. Federal regulations state that an effort is made to use local businesses and contract with small, minority and/or women-owned businesses to the maximum extent feasible.
Historic Preservation Significant changes to buildings take place over time and are evidence of their history. Nearly every building within Brownsville s Historic District is historically significant. Each building should be considered on its own merits and proposed modifications should be carefully considered. Modifications that contribute to the significance of downtown Brownsville s architectural character should be retained and preserved. It is preferable to retain existing materials and significant components whenever possible, by stabilizing, repairing, or matching them with compatible new materials rather than by replacing them. It is very important to realize that most of the original materials that make up the City s historic fabric are often irreplaceable or only replaceable with significant labor and energy costs. Additional considerations include: Any existing historical character of a property should be retained and preserved to the extent possible and feasible. The removal of historic materials or alterations of features and spaces that characterize a property are not permitted. Chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblasting and power washing, that cause damage to historic materials, are not permitted. The surface cleaning of structures should be undertaken using the gentlest means possible as per the U.S. Secretary of Interior s Standard for Rehabilitation. Often, a bucket of soapy water and a brush are the best tools to use. Reimbursement Process Requests for a single-payment reimbursement will be processed after the project scope has been satisfactorily completed. A final inspection will be conducted by Project Manager and/or authorized City staff to ensure the completion of the project scope. To receive reimbursement, the applicant shall present the Planning Division with the following: Proof of payment (i.e. original paid invoices, cancelled checks and/or credit card receipts). Statement from architects, contractors and/or subcontractors acknowledging that all payments have been received. Notarized release of lien from all contractors and/or subcontractors, if applicable. Proof of final government inspection. Digital and hard copy photographs highlighting the façade improvements. Photographs by a professional are preferred. Reimbursement Requests. The applicant shall submit completed reimbursement forms that comply with the City s Finance Department guidelines. All reimbursement requests are subject to the review and approval of the Planning Division staff. Reimbursements shall be issued within thirty (30) days from the time the reimbursement request was submitted. HOW TO APPLY Contact Planning Division to confirm funding is available. Obtain two (2) bids from contractors. Proposals should include design layouts showing dimensions, proposed colors, ect. Submit a digital and printed set of architectural drawings. Complete and sign application included in this booklet. All required attachments must be submitted with the application. Submit applications to: Planning Division Re: Façade Improvement Program 1034 E. Levee Street, 2nd Floor Brownsville, Texas 78520 Once the application has been submitted, the Ad Hoc Committee will review the application. If approved, the Environmental Review will begin. Applications approved by the Ad Hoc Committee will be subject to review by the Texas Main Street Program s project design team and approval from the Historic Preservation Review and Design Board before any work can begin. If application and proposed work is approved by all parties, the applicant shall receive a Notice to Proceed and enter into a signed agreement with the City of Brownsville. Projects must be completed within eight (8) months from the Notice to Proceed. A final inspection will then be completed by the Project Manager. Once project is complete, applicant shall submit a reimbursement request with all required documents. Reimbursements shall be issued within thirty (30) days from the time the reimbursement request was submitted. 6
INTENSIVE BLOCK Façade Improvement Program Application APPLICANT INFORMATION Applicant s Name Mailing Address Phone Number Email Ownership Property owner Business owner PROPERTY OWNER INFORMATION (if different from applicant) Property Owner Name Mailing Address Phone Number Email BUSINESS INFORMATION Business Name Physical Address Phone Number Email Type of Business Corporation Partnership Sole Proprietorship PROJECT DESCRIPTION Historic/Building Name Building Address Historically Designated Local State Federal N/A Year Built Current Use Retail Office Restaurant Other Will building use change after project completion? Yes No If yes, what will be the use? PROJECT COST + FUNDING Estimated cost of improvements Requested Funding (up to 50% of eligible costs) Anticipated Start Date Anticipated Completion Date Bid #1 $ $ Bid #2 $ $ 7
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS Proof of ownership: Warranty deed or legal occupancy, such as lease Notarized statement from property owner allowing participation in the program (applicable to business owners who are not the property owner) Driver s license Proof of insurance on the property Proof of property tax payment Color photographs of the existing structure Two (2) contractor bids Proposed scope of work: One (1) page narrative describing in detail the proposed work/modifications Printed and digital set of architectural drawings Product information Color samples Other material(s) that would make it helpful to understand your project APPLICANT AGREEMENT & CERTIFICATION I have read and fully understand the guidelines and procedures of the Intensive Block Façade Improvement Program. I understand that any false or misleading information provided at any time during the application process may lead to program ineligibility. I understand that any deviation from the requirements set forth in this agreement may result in the ineligibility of reimbursement from the City and all associated entities. I agree to start the project within thirty (30) days of receiving the Notice to Proceed. I agree to complete the project within eight (8) months of receiving the Notice to Proceed. I agree to submit all receipts of expenditures for the work specified on the application. I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the City of Brownsville and its employees, directors, officials, and other duly authorized agents from any and all claims and liabilities arising out of or connected to my participation in this program and the ensuing façade improvement work, including any personal injuries or damages to any person(s) or property, loss to or interruption of business by the program participant and participant s tenants and neighbors. This agreement extends to the program participant s employees, duly authorized agents and successors. The undersigned hereby represents and certifies to the best of his/her knowledge and belief that the information contained on this statement and any exhibits or attachments hereto are true and complete and accurately describe the proposed project, and the undersigned agrees to promptly inform the City of Brownsville of any changes in the proposed project which may occur. Applicant s Printed Name + Signature Date Applicant s Printed Name + Signature Date 8