Title
A Resolution Approving The Facade Improvement Incentive Grant Program Amendments
Body
AMENDING THE FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT INCENTIVE GRANT PROGRAM
WHEREAS, Resolution #13-0486 created the Façade Improvement Incentive Grant Program for the Local Downtown Historic District and the National Register Historic District, and;
WHEREAS, the Incentive Grant Program was amended by #20-1180 to include the Main Street Boundary, and;
WHEREAS, the City desires to amend the grant amount calculation, timing and other modifications,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Foley, Alabama, as follows:
SECTION 1:
CITY OF FOLEY
NATIONAL REGISTER AND LOCAL DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICTS & MAIN STREET DISTRICT
-Incentive Grant Program -
The Incentive Grant Program provides financial assistance for exterior appearance improvement projects on buildings and businesses located within the City of Foley’s Local Downtown Historic District, National Register Historic District & the Foley Main Street District. These districts may grow or shrink over time or the geographic footprint of the area eligible for the Program could change via council action and the Incentive Grant program will tie to those geographic footprints as they change.
For the City of Foley’s Local Downtown and National Register Historic Districts: the standard for design is based on the Foley Historical Commission Design Guidelines. Within the Foley Main Street District, outside the National Register and Local Downtown Historic Districts, those projects are approved by the city. The intent of the grant program is to encourage appropriate revitalization to as many private properties in the Districts as possible. Projects for structures located within the defined Districts, identified by maps available from the Foley Community Development Department, are eligible to apply for grants.
Work may include any exterior improvements deemed acceptable by the Foley Historical Commission, or City Council as appropriate. A wall mural can qualify as an improvement. However, the mural must abide by the mural and public art guidelines, the mural and public artwork city ordinance, as well as the incentive grant guidelines.
Inside:
• Grant Guidelines
• Application
• Acknowledgement & Agreement
• Application Checklist
• Certificate of Appropriateness Checklist
GUIDELINES
CITY OF FOLEY
NATIONAL, AND LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICTS & MAIN STREET DISTRICT INCENTIVE GRANT PROGRAM GUIDELINES
Effective
I. GENERAL
The Incentive Grant Program provides financial assistance for exterior appearance improvement projects on buildings located within the City of Foley’s Local Downtown and National Historic Districts & Main Street District.
II. ELIGIBLE PROPERTIES
A. Projects for structures located within said Districts are eligible to apply for grant funding.
B The legal owner of the property as listed in the Baldwin County Property Records must provide permission for the work and must agree to the maintenance of the property regarding the grant- assisted work.
III. GUIDELINES
A. Approval by the Foley City Council after review and recommendations from the Foley Historical Commission is required for projects within the National Register and Local Downtown Historic Districts. The Historical Commission will review and make appropriate recommendations to the Foley City Council. City Council will make the final decision. The applicant may move forward with construction once approval has been granted by the Foley Historical Commission. However please note if construction begins prior to Council approval, it is done at the risk of the applicant. Until City Council takes action, there is no guarantee the grant will be approved.
B. Approval by the Foley City Council after review and recommendations from the CDD is required for projects within the Foley Main Street District outside the National Register and Local Downtown Historic Districts. The CDD will review and make appropriate recommendations to the Foley City Council. City Council will make the final decision. The applicant may move forward with construction once approval has been granted by the Community Development Department. However please note if construction begins prior to Council approval, it is done at the risk of the applicant. Until City Council takes action, there is no guarantee the grant will be approved.
C. Grants are issued on a first-come, first-served basis subject to funding availability.
D. Projects must commence within 90 days of City Council approval and must be completed within no more than 6 months from start of work. One request for an extension of 90 days may be approved by staff. Additional extension requests must go to City Council for review.
E. The maximum grant amount shall be the greater of either $5,000, or the mathematically calculated grant amount as defined by the equation, $5.00 X number of square feet of façade facing a named public right-of-way = maximum grant amount. Front Facade square footage is measured and defined by the City of Foley Community Development Department. Regardless of maximum grant amount, all grants must be matched dollar for dollar by the applicant to secure grant dollars
F. The required match from the business and/or property owner may be in the form of cash. A grant recipient must provide proof of cash payment.
G. A separate $500 fee may be needed depending on the scope of work. If needed it must be allocated from property owner for an architectural consultation and rendering of the project.
H. Grants for a specific building cannot be re-applied for within 5 years from City Council Approval and grant awards cannot exceed the total for the five year period. project start date.
IV. APPLICATION PROCESS
A. IF in the Historic Districts: submit application to the Foley Historical Commission. (See attached checklist for certificate of appropriateness)
IF only in the Main Street District: submit application to the CDD
B. Submit:
1. Incentive Grant Application and Agreement with 2 separate contractors’ bids
2. Maintenance Covenant Agreement
3. Before photos of property to be improved
4. Completed Certificate of Appropriateness
5. If a mural, then a completed Foley Main Street Downtown Mural & Street Art Project Contract and Release
V. PROJECT
A. Construction projects require building permits.
B. Signs require permits.
C.
These items may be obtained from the City of Foley Community Development Department.
VI. REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS
Reimbursement will occur after:
1. Project completion and final inspection by a member of the City of Foley Community Development Department.
2. Submission of paid invoices.
3. If progress payments are requested, reasonable invoices must be shown and inspection of progress is required. 20% of grant funds will be retained until completion of work. Payment of invoice may be requested paid by joint check to contractor and property owner.
Application
CITY OF FOLEY NATIONAL REGISTER, LOCAL DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICTS & FOLEY MAIN STREET DISTRICT INCENTIVE GRANT APPLICATION
Applicant:
Property Owner:
Applicant Address:
Phone: Email
Project Physical
Address:
Name of
Business:
Type of
Business:
Existing Business:
OR New Business:
Number of years in Business:
What effect do you think this project will have on your business? (may attach separate sheet)
Why do you want/need this grant? (may attach separate sheet)
Project Start Date:
Project Completion Date:
Project Description:
Contractor & Contact Info:
Total Cost of Project (attach bid) $
Amount Requested (50% of total project not to exceed $1 per square foot of total building square footage
$
Acknowledgement and Agreement
My signature acknowledges the following:
Façade changes will be in accordance with appropriateness as determined by the City of Foley Historical Commission for projects within the National Register or Local Downtown Historic Districts, or as determined by the City of Foley if the business resides only in the Foley Main Street District.
The project will begin within 90 days of grant approval and will be completed within 6 months of beginning work.
Reimbursement will occur after project completion and upon submission of appropriate forms and documents as outlined in the guidelines.
Work completed prior to grant approval is not eligible for funding. All required permits are the responsibility of the owner/applicant.
It is expressly understood and agreed that the applicant will not seek to hold the City of Foley, the Foley Historical Commission, or the Foley Main Street Organization and/or its agents, employees, officers and/or directors liable for any property damage, personal injury, or other loss relating in any way to this Incentive Grant Program.
Signed Date
Signed Date Business and/or Property Owner
Signed Date Applicant
Send all materials to:
City of Foley
Community Development Department
120 South McKenzie Street
Foley, AL 36535
Façade Grant Checklist
If your business or building is in the Historic Districts: All of the following must be included in order to be considered for the grant.
If your business or building is only in the Main Street District: All of the following must be included except the COA in order to be considered for the grant.
Contact the City Community Development Department to apply to the Foley Historical Commission. Phone 251-952-4011.
Certificate of Appropriateness:
• Certificate of Appropriateness application
• Photo or sketch of existing façade and sketch or rendering of proposed façade renovation
• Historic photographs if available
• Written description of the changes including materials to be used
•
Grant Submission Package:
• Completed Grant Application
• Photo or sketch of existing façade and sketch or rendering of proposed façade renovation
• Historic photographs if available
• Written description of the changes including materials to be used
• Signed Acknowledgement and Agreement
• Contractor’s Bid
•
Process following the meeting:
• Foley Historical Commission provides approved COA and Recommendation for grant funding for requests within the Historic Districts.
• The CDD provides recommendation for grant funding for requests in the Foley Main Street District only.
• City Council Approval
SECTION 2: This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption as required by law.