COMMERCIAL FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT
PROGRAM GUIDELINES
• Grant program pays 50% or up to a maximum of $4,000 on a pre-approved project.
• Application must be approved (or rejected) in writing. It is recommended you submit an application prior to work beginning.
• A cost estimate in the form of a contractor’s bid must accompany application along with a “before” photograph. Estimates must include materials/products list and labor cost breakdown. Owner makes selection of contractor.
• Eligible projects include: exterior painting or cleaning, historic restoration, awnings, roofs, guttering and replacement of windows. Ineligible projects include signage & sidewalks. Exterior improvements must follow style approved in downtown design plan. If the building is located in a historic district, a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) must be obtained prior to starting work.
• A contractor registered with the State of Indiana must do construction work and any necessary permits must be obtained prior to applying. Proper insurance coverage is expected.
• A local contractor (Wayne County, IN) is preferred to perform work.
• Richmond UEA will rebate the Property owner after work is completed and a final bill is submitted and copies of canceled checks for applicant’s half is provided. An “after” photograph must also be submitted.
• All work must be completed and funded within six (6) months of application approval, with a three (3) month extension available by request.
Purpose
The Richmond UEA offers grants to commercial/industrial building owners within the zone for a variety of purposes. The Richmond UEA’s main objectives for the grant program are visual improvements, historic preservation, and structural integrity. This matching grant program is intended to assist building owners in renovating existing buildings’ façade.
Eligibility
In general, the intent of the guidelines is to restrict funding to visible improvements of the exterior façade. The following exterior improvements are eligible, but not limited to:
• Removal of false façade (front)
• Restoring the building to its original constructed materials
• Window or door repair or replacement
• Repointing of mortar joints
• Awnings
• Roof repair
• Historic character improvements
• Masonry repair
• Repair to building façade (front and sides are eligible)
• Cleaning of outbuilding exterior
• Exterior painting (all colors must be pre-approved)
• Total cost of the project must be at least $500.00
• Repairing, replacing and/or adding architecturally appropriate cornices, entrances, doors, windows, decorative detail, porches, and siding
• Adding or replacing architecturally appropriate design elements or lighting, especially where period-appropriate materials are used
• Any improvements will be consistent with the commercial character of the neighborhood.
Ineligible
• Exterior improvements that do not match the architectural style of the building or that remove historic elements
• Interior improvements
• Landscaping
• Concrete work for sidewalks
• Purchase of furnishings, equipment, or other personal property that does not become part of the real estate
• Signage
General Criteria
Important note: Priority will also be given to applicants who have not received prior funding through the program. Due to limited availability of grant funds, not all requests can be funded. Matching funds are on a first come first served basis.
• Grants are limited to exterior preservation, restoration, or rehabilitation of commercial structures located within the Urban Enterprise Zone.
• Repairs that are structural in nature are eligible for grant funding but will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• Grant funding is NOT available for the purchase or rental of tools, machinery or equipment, or for business owner labor.
• The application must thoroughly describe the project and should include supplementary materials such as drawings, specifications, photographs showing where work will be done, historic photos (if available), budgets and schedule.
• The applicant shall comply with all zoning & permitting requirements of the City of Richmond.
• Business owner is required to maintain ownership of building for a minimum of five (5) years.
• A Project must enhance the front façade which is any side of the building facing a public street (alleyways and paper streets excluded). Buildings situated on street corners or with facades facing two public streets may be eligible for both street-facing sides.
• The total cost for the Project must be at least $500.
• The Project property may not have any outstanding municipal debt, including but not limited to city taxes, utilities, or other municipal liens.
• The Business Owner must submit a completed application and complete the approval process prior to beginning a project. Any renovation started before the application and approval process is completed will not be eligible for a grant.
• If applicant needs to block an alley, street or sidewalk to complete the work, permission must be obtained from the City of Richmond Board of Public Works prior to beginning the work. Upon approval, a permit from the City of Richmond Clerk’s office must be obtained. Call 765.xxx.xxxx for information.
Project Funding
• Grant program pays 50% or up to a maximum of $4,000 on a pre-approved project. The Building Owner is responsible for 50% of the project costs and any excess costs.
• The grant will be dispersed once work is complete and passed any necessary inspections.