Title
Revisions to the Downtown Expansion Redevelopment District Façade Grant Program (B)
Explanation
In mid-2006, the CRA modified the Downtown façade grant program and introduced a competitive ranking system to encourage projects to apply that promise greater transformation than had been seen under the old program. The Downtown Redevelopment Advisory Board (DRAB) awarded grants to the Rush Law Offices and the Chestnut Building; the former has been completed and the latter is still in progress.
On July 25, 2007, staff proposed, and the DRAB approved, additional revisions to the façade grant program. The proposed changes were intended to mirror recently approved revisions to the College Park/University Heights (CPUH) and Eastside façade programs. The changes are summarized as follows: 1) Past award recipients can reapply for an additional 25% of the original grant award subject to the cash match and grant maximum (For DRAB, the grant maximum is $10,000.00); 2) Exclusion of maintenance work such as power washing and painting unless these tasks are part of major restoration work; 3) Exclusion of work to the façade that is not visible 24 hours per day; 4) Addition of a 12 month timeframe for completing the approved façade work and a provision for returning unused grant proceeds to the general grant funds if the rate of progress is not satisfactory to the CRA; 5) Requirement that grant recipients and CRA execute a grant agreement that spells out terms for maintaining façade elements paid for by the grant program; 6) Prohibition on projects that have already received the grant maximum from applying for supplemental grants; and 7) Language that allows the DRAB to increase or decrease the amount of the grant at its discretion.
Staff recommends that the Downtown façade grant program be revised to reflect the changes summarized above. These changes would make the downtown program consistent with the programs in the Eastside and CPUH.
Staff is planning to open the 2007 funding cycle as soon as the program documents can be finalized. It is projected that $23,575.00 will be available for grant-making in the new fiscal year beginning October 1, 2007.
Fiscal Note
The CRA has budgeted $20,000.00 for façade grants in fiscal year 2008, which begins October 1, 2007. There is currently $3,575.00 in un-obligated funds in the Downtown façade grant account. These funds are located in account #610-790-W221-5520.
Recommendation
Downtown Redevelopment Advisory Board to the CRA: Approve the façade grant program as amended.