Downtown Façade Improvement Grant Program Guidelines 203 South Front Street, Suite 1-B Marquette, MI (906) 228-9475 https://downtownmarquette.org/
Downtown Façade Improvement Grant Program Program Description The Marquette Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is providing a façade improvement opportunity for the property owners and businesses located within the Marquette DDA District. Façade improvements are defined as improvements to the exterior of the building. Projects considered must be completed after a submitted application is approved by the DDA Board of Directors. No reimbursement will be made for improvements prior to approval date. Applications for this program will be accepted annually beginning October 1. Program Purpose The purpose of the Façade Improvement Grant Program is to give local property and business owners an opportunity to upgrade their storefront exterior façade. The project(s) will not only improve an individual building s exterior appearance but will facilitate continued revitalization of the downtown district as a whole. In effect, this project serves to retain and attract investment and businesses to Marquette s downtown. Program Eligibility The project must be within the boundaries of the Marquette Downtown Development Authority District (see map page 4). The project must meet the grant guidelines. Priority will be given to designs that are consistent with the Design Guidelines for Marquette, Michigan adopted by the Marquette Downtown Development Authority, February 1988, and/or the Third Street Corridor Sustainable Development Plan. The applicant must submit an application packet including: grant application, project scope narrative, drawings, photos of existing conditions, cost estimate/budget and W-9 form. The design must be approved by the Marquette Downtown Development Authority Board of Directors. Applicant Eligibility Eligible applicants include owners of commercial properties and owners of businesses located within the boundaries of Marquette s DDA District. Business owners who are leasing a building for which improvements are proposed must obtain written consent and approval of project plans from the property owner (as indicated in the grant application). 1
GUIDELINES Project Criteria Must constitute exterior physical improvement to an existing building. Must be a permanent improvement; not temporary or seasonal. Must address a storefront, store back, entryway, or exposed side in its entirety. Must enhance or fit into the larger context of neighboring buildings. Must meet all building and zoning requirements, including necessary permits. Project s total cost must exceed $3,000 ($2,000 contributed by the applicant, $1,000 reimbursement from the DDA) to be eligible for a façade grant. Eligible Projects Front and rear building façade improvements (not regular maintenance items). Side facades to the extent that they are visible to the public eye. Enhanced entryway and storefronts (both front and rear). Americans with Disabilities Act related building upgrades. Aesthetic improvements (such as awnings and outside attached lighting). Improvements which restore historical significance to buildings, such as removal of elements which cover original architectural details. Improvements which increase architectural integrity of business district. Addition and/or replacement of doors and windows. Painting only as part of a comprehensive façade improvement project. Ineligible Projects Physical or visual removal of architecturally important feature. Installation of vinyl or aluminum siding. Roofs. Parking Lots. Mechanical systems. Landscaping. Signage or sign replacement. Routine general maintenance items that are part of normal property ownership. Repair of any code violations. Interior renovation projects. Properties that have received previous Downtown Façade Improvement Grant funding within the fiscal year. Program Procedures 1) The applicant may obtain a Downtown Façade Improvement Grant application through the DDA s website, https://downtownmarquette.org/ or the DDA office, 203 South Front Street, Suite 1-B, Marquette, MI 49855. 2
2) The completed application shall be submitted to the DDA along with: a. Drawings of planned improvements to the building, including architectural notations on materials, colors etc. b. Photographs of the building s existing condition (both front and rear). c. Proposed project scope narrative. d. Cost estimate/budget. e. Completed W-9 form. 3) The application and plans with noted explanations shall be submitted to the DDA at least 20 days prior to the next scheduled DDA Board meeting. The DDA Board meetings are regularly scheduled for the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 a.m. 4) The applicant may be required to make an informal presentation of the planned improvements to the DDA Maintenance and Design Sub-Committee. 5) The improved building design and application will be reviewed by the DDA Maintenance and Design Sub-Committee and a recommendation for approval or disapproval will be made to the DDA Board. Approval or disapproval by the DDA Board will be forwarded in writing to the applicant within five days after such is given. 6) The DDA or its agent will inspect the work at completion of the project to determine if the work is complete as agreed upon and in compliance with approvals given by the DDA Board of Directors. 7) If the above conditions are met, at completion of the project and upon presentation to the DDA of evidence of paid bills, the property owner will be reimbursed up to $5,000 per façade improvement project. Funding Amounts The grant is reimbursable, on a 1:2 match with a maximum reimbursement of $5,000. The DDA Board will allocate funding for the program on an annual basis beginning with the 2018 fiscal year starting October 1, 2017 and ending September 30, 2018. The grants are provided on a competitive basis AND on a first come, first served basis. There is a limit of one Downtown Façade Improvement Grant per property per fiscal year. Disclaimers Priority will be given to those projects which incorporate identifiable historical architectural themes and color schemes. The final approval or disapproval rests with the DDA Board of Directors. The DDA reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposed projects. The allocation of grants is based on available funding. 3
Marquette Downtown Development Authority District 4