City of Mesa Sprinkler Cost Assistance Program Application In Fiscal Year 2010/2011, Mesa s City Council adopted a set of strategic initiatives aimed at guiding the efforts of City Staff. The Economic Development Strategic Initiative reads as follow: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT that is innovative, development and business friendly and that includes a variety of strategic tools, redevelopment of older and vacant areas, and a focus on high value job creation and employment. The Office of Economic Development in partnership with the Mesa Fire Department, Mesa Development and Sustainability Department and the Neighborhood Services Department has created the Sprinkler Cost Assistance Program for the purpose of encouraging the rehabilitation and improvement of buildings within the Pedestrian Overlay Area in Downtown Mesa. While the Sprinkler Cost Assistance Program will focus in general on the Pedestrian Overlay Area, priority will be given to applications for projects located adjacent to Main Street. The Sprinkler Cost Assistance Program will improve the safety of residents and promote greater utilization of currently vacant or underutilized space. The Sprinkler Cost Assistance Program will make matching grants of up to 50% of the total cost of installing fire sprinkler systems, not to exceed $10,000 per applicant. Grant funds will be distributed on a reimbursement basis only.
Application Instructions for the Sprinkler Cost Assistance Program Checklist of Items Needed Only complete applications will be considered. Submissions must include the following information: Completed Sprinkler Cost Assistance Program application. Project narrative, which includes a description of total work to be performed and a line-item estimate of costs. Interior and Exterior pictures of the building where the project is proposed. Verification that the installation of a fire suppression system in the property is advisable by the City of Mesa Building Official. Contact Steve Hether at 480-644-2039 to schedule an appointment. At least three (3) competitive bid estimates for the design of a fire suppression system that meets City code requirements. Please identify the preferred bid and provide an explanation as to why the preferred bid was selected. Applicant must also provide proof that the solicitation of bids included appropriate language regarding Davis-Bacon Act requirements. Executed Acknowledgment of Terms. Written consent from the property owner if the applicant is a tenant. Evaluation Criteria The following criteria will be used to evaluate applications for the Sprinkler Cost Assistance Program. The criteria are listed in no particular order: The location of the building/property The number of jobs created and made available to Low-Moderate Income (LMI) population The extent of work proposed beyond the sprinkler system installation The proposed use or uses of the structure Contribution of the project to the downtown redevelopment goals of the City Application Submittal & Questions Please direct all questions and completed applications to: Shea T. Joachim Economic Development Project Manager 20 East Main Street, Suite 200 Mesa, AZ 85201 480-644-3562 (phone) shea.joachim@mesaaz.gov Sprinkler Cost Assistance Program Application, FY 10-11 Page 2
Section I General Information Full Name(s) of Applicant/Business: Address of Property: Contact Person: Address of Contact Person: Daytime Phone Number: Email Address: Amount of Request (Max = $10,000): Status of Property Ownership (check one): Sole Ownership Corporation, Partnership or Trust (provide the names, addresses and phone numbers of all officers or trustees and include articles of incorporation, by-laws and/or partnership agreements) Rent (provide written letter of consent from the property owner for the project) Year Built: Current Use of Property: Amount of building square footage to be covered by sprinkler safety system: Section II Economic Impact Please describe why this program is essential to the livelihood of your business/property: Estimated number of jobs created or retained by this project: Estimated average hourly wage of jobs created or retained: Please explain reasoning/methodology: Sprinkler Cost Assistance Program Application, FY 10-11 Page 3
Section III Acknowledgement of Terms Please complete and sign: I,, certify that the information presented in this application and in all attachments are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that the proceeds from the Sprinkler Cost Assistance Program may only be used for the property located at. I understand that the appropriate committee at the City of Mesa shall conduct a review of my Sprinkler Cost Assistance application to ensure that the project: Is located within the program boundaries; Is consistent with the intent and purpose of the program mission; Provides economic development benefits to the City of Mesa. If my application is approved: I understand that I must obtain the necessary permits for the installation of the fire suppression system and all other work to be performed on the structure: Sprinkler system design work requires a Fire Protection Engineer Sprinkler system installation work requires a registered contractor I understand that only when the project is complete and has met inspection and compliance requirements of the City will funds be made available for reimbursement. I understand I am responsible to meet all requirements under the Davis Bacon Act and I acknowledge I have received a copy of the Davis-Bacon Fact Sheet. I understand that I must enter into the Sprinkler Cost Assistance Program Agreement with the City of Mesa and that I am responsible for adhering to the Agreement. I understand that I will be required to submit copies of invoices, receipts, and/or cancelled checks supporting actual cost for the project to the City of Mesa Economic Development Department in order to receive reimbursement. Print Name: Signature: Date: Print Name: Signature: Date: Sprinkler Cost Assistance Program Application, FY 10-11 Page 4
Sprinkler Cost Assistance Program - Fact Sheet What is the Sprinkler Cost Assistance Program? The City of Mesa Economic Development Department in partnership with the Mesa Fire Department, Mesa Development and Sustainability Department and the Neighborhood Services Department has created the Sprinkler Cost Assistance Program to provide matching grants funds to encourage the redevelopment and reuse of commercial buildings located in the Pedestrian Overlay Area (POA) in Downtown Mesa. The program is supported by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds approved for fiscal year 2010-2011. What types of projects/buildings are eligible for the program? To be eligible for the Sprinkler Cost Assistance Program, the commercial building must be located in the Pedestrian Overlay Area (POA) in Downtown Mesa. In addition, the building must not currently have a fire sprinkler suppression system in place. What are the boundaries of the Pedestrian Overlay Area (POA)? Buildings located within the following area are eligible: East of Country Club Drive; South of 1 st Street; West of Sirrine Street; North of 1 st Avenue See attached map for a graphical depiction of the Pedestrian Overlay Area (POA). What are the terms of the program? Applications will be approved on a first come, first reviewed basis. The program has been funded with $100,000 for FY2010/2011. Grant funds will be distributed on a reimbursement basis only. Applicants are responsible to provide proof of actual costs to the City. Once an application is approved, applicants must complete the installation of the sprinkler suppression system within 60 days unless approved otherwise. What are the funding limits? The funding is set up as a matching grant program. The maximum amount of funding available per project is $10,000. The City will match every dollar associated with cost of installing a sprinkler suppression system up to a maximum of $10,000.
Sprinkler Cost Assistance Program - Fact Sheet How does the application process work? 1) Applicant submits a complete application package to the City of Mesa, Office of Economic Development. A review of all complete applications will be performed by the evaluation committee. Preliminary approval is granted to applications that best meet the intent of the program. 2) For applications that receive preliminary approval, the following actions will be taken: The application, along with the plans for the design and installation of sprinklers will be sent to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for environmental review. The City Building Official, with permission from the property owner and/or tenant, will inspect the property and deem that the installation of a fire suppression system is advisable. Applicant will be responsible to bid the installation/construction work in compliance with Federal regulations (Davis Bacon, etc) 3) Upon receiving environmental clearance and acceptable inspection, the Office of Economic Development will issue a letter of commitment confirming approval of the project. Applicants must sign the Sprinkler Cost Assistance Program Agreement acknowledging the requirements of the program which includes job creation, pirating and Davis-Bacon wage requirements. Any work performed prior to the issuance of a commitment letter or the execution of an agreement will not be eligible for reimbursement. 4) The applicant, at its sole expense, shall design and arrange for the installation of the fire suppression system that meets applicable code requirements of the City. The applicant must obtain the necessary permits for the installation of the fire suppression system and all other work to be performed on the structure. 5) Once the project is complete the applicant must submit written notice of completion to the Office of Economic Development. Applicant is responsible for documentation of the actual cost of installing the fire suppression system such as cancelled checks, invoices, lien releases and certified payrolls. 6) Once the actual cost of installing the fire suppression system is determined, the City shall reimburse the applicant in an amount equal to the lessor of, a) 50% of the actual cost of the system as determined by documentation provided by the applicant, b) $10,000 What types of improvements qualify? Funds must be used for the installation of fire sprinkler systems in buildings located within the Pedestrian Overlay Area (POA). This includes: Installation and design of new sprinklers and piping Permit fees associated with the installation of a fire sprinkler system Costs associated with connecting to necessary water mains for sprinkler system