—————————————————
CITY OF ALTON’S CDBG COMMERCIAL FAÇADE REHABILITATION PROGRAM
Summary:
The Alton CDBG Commercial Rehabilitation Program provides matching grants to commercial building owners in designated areas within the City. The purpose of the program is to provide a financial incentive to the property owners to improve the exterior facade of their buildings, to remove code violations and reduce the spread of blight within the City.
Eligibility Requirements:
The program is available to any commercial property owner whose building is south of Homer Parkway that is commercially zoned and who is current on his/her property taxes, sewer bills and /or any other form of indebtedness to the City. Priority will be given to structures which are determined to be of primary significance to the historical nature of the city and those projects which will render a high impact in improving the appearance of the business. Funds may only be used for exterior repairs and improvements to commercial buildings and for the correction of code violations by providing screened fencing as it pertains to side and rear yard storage for properties with automotive related uses. Fronts, side, and the rear of buildings are all eligible but priority is given to fronts and other portions of buildings that are directly exposed to a street. (Roof work and residential structures will not be funded under this program.)
Grant Terms:
This is a matching grant program in which commercial building owners are eligible to receive a grant of up to 25 percent of the documented cost of improvements. The program operates on a reimbursement basis with funds disbursed by the City after all authorized work is completed. For a building with one facade or for screened fencing to correct code violations, reimbursement will be limited to 25 percent of the documented cost of the improvements, not to exceed$7,500.00 on any one project. For buildings with two or more facades visible, the amount rebated will not exceed $10,000.00 or 25 percent of the documented project costs, whichever is less.
Eligible Project Costs/Uses:
This program defines total project cost as those costs incurred by independent contractors to make improvements and repairs to the exterior facades of the commercial buildings. (Facade work performed by a property owner will not be considered as eligible project costs/uses under this program. Materials used by the property owner will only be eligible cost/uses under this program if he/she receives prior written authorization from the City’s Appearance Review Commission.)
Eligible costs may include, but are not limited to:
1. Window/door repair or appropriate replacement work;
2. Storefront rehabilitation, including removal of non-original siding;
3. Cleaning or painting of exterior surfaces (sandblasting or abrasive cleaning methods are strongly discouraged and, in some cases, may be prohibited)
4. Repair or restoration of architectural detailing;
5. Awning, signs and cornices;
6. Building permits and architectural fees;
7. Materials used to rehabilitate the facade; and
8. Correction of code violations by providing screened fencing as it pertains to side and rear yard storage for properties with automotive related uses.
Other Grant Conditions:
All work to be performed under this program must be in compliance with all applicable city codes and ordinances. Furthermore, since this program is funded with Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, all work must be completed in compliance with all applicable rules and regulations of the U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and Madison County Community Development. These include, but are not limited to: environmental impact, historic preservation and prevailing wage and labor standard issues. The Federal Prevailing Wage Rates can be found at gpo.gov
THE ATTACHED CHECKLIST MUST BE FOLLOWED. DO NOT ORDER MATERIALS OR BEGIN WORK UNTIL AFTER THE PRE-CONSTRUCTION CONFERENCE. DOING SO WILL MAKE YOUR PROJECT INELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT.
Applicants can utilize the Commercial Rehabilitation program multiple times, granted that they do not exceed the $7,500 or $10,000 maximum reimbursement that is allowed under program guidelines. If a business has changed ownership, the new owner of the building can access the program regardless of if Commercial Rehabilitation funds were used to improve the building previously.
Where to Apply:
Property owners interested in the City of Alton’s Commercial Rehabilitation Program should contact Greg Caffey, Director of Planning & Development in Alton City Hall, Room 204, 618-463-3801.