Facade Grant Program

2007 DESIGN CHALLENGE GRANT

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

• The PDIDA Design Challenge Grant is available to commercial properties within the Program Area to stimulate private investment in downtown properties, to foster an attractive shopping environment, and to preserve Pottstown’s architectural heritage. The Program Area is the geographic area which encompasses the existing Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority.
• The selection of Design Challenge Grant recipients is based solely on project merit and not on financial need.
• Matching Grants will be made based on approval from the PDIDA Board of Directors; historic appropriateness of design, impact on the program area, and priority level of project typed outlined below.
• Individual property owners and authorized tenants, leasees, etc match the Grant dollar-for-dollar with private investment monies.
• The PDIDA Board of Directors has sole discretion for approving and distributing Design Challenge Grant funds.
• The PDIDA Design Committee will review applications and determine eligibility using the PDIDA Design Grant Criteria, and Design Grant Guidelines per the attached documents.
• The Design challenge Grant Review and Approval Flowchart (attached hereto) summarizes the step-by-step procedures a person shall follow from initial inquiry to final payment.
• For the year 2007, a total of $30,000.00 in grants has been allocated to PDIDA for façade improvement projects by the PA State Department of Community and Economic Development.
• Projects will be evaluated in terms of quality, design compatibility, historic restoration and level of visual impact.

ELIGIBLE PROJECTS AND PRIORITY

Structural Change projects will be given first preference. These projects are eligible for grants of up to $5,000 or 50% of the project, which ever is of lesser value. These include:

• Replacement of Doors and Windows
• Removal of inappropriate additions, overhangs, architectural changes not in line with historic guidelines
• Replacement of deteriorating materials
• Display Windows & window boxes

Façade Change projects will receive second priority. These projects are eligible for grants of up to $5,000 or 50% of the project, which ever is of lesser value. These include:

• Painting of building, must be coverage of over 75% of the building
• Masonry Work
• Awnings
• Wood Work
• Exterior lighting
• Lighting for display windows and interior build out for window display
• Signage projects that be an aesthetic enhancement and consistent with the historic tone of the area.

LIMITATIONS

• A single property owner can receive more than one Grant if he/she owns more than one property.
• If a property owner seeks and receives a Grant, a tenant in the same building can also receive a Grant as long as the total amount does not exceed the Grant maximum for the building.
• A tenant can apply for the full amount, with the consent of the property owner.
• Buildings that span more than one street address are eligible for one grant up to $5,000 or 50% of the total project cost.
• A joint façade improvement project (with 3 or more adjoining properties that share a common wall) is eligible for a grant up to $5,000 or 50% of the total project cost whichever is less.
• All work must conform to local and state ordinances: permits from the Borough of Pottstown and/or permission from the property owner will be required, if applicable.
• Where applicable all work must conform to U.S. Department of the Interior’s “Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings”.
• All work must be completed in a manner consistent with the work described in the approved Design Grant application. Reimbursement will be made upon completion of the project.
• The applicant must submit to the PDIDA Design Committee documentation that substantiates the total and final cost of the work and documentation that substantiates the work is complete.
• No more than two grants will be approved per property per year, based on the application approval date. No one building will receive more than $5,000 in grants per year.
• Corner properties are considered one façade,
• All work must be completed within 6 months from proposed start date or the grant will be forfeited.
• The PDIDA Design Committee will stop accepting new applications upon such time as all Grant money is allocated for the year. Projects that have been awarded a grant must be completed within 6 months of projected start date or money will be forfeited back to PDIDA. Grant monies allocated but not distributed will be made available to additional new applicants within this same year. Newly available funds would be advertised on the website and newsletter.
• Project costs are inclusive of appropriate Pennsylvania sales taxes.
• For the purposes of approving Design Challenge Grant applications, boarding houses or commercial residential dwellings are to be considered commercial property.

PROJECTS THAT ARE NOT ELIGIBLE:

• Routine maintenance projects
• Interior renovations and improvements (unless impacts window display)
• Roofing and siding repairs
• Sidewalks, driveways and parking lot repairs
• Improvements to back and sides of buildings
• Landscaping
• Internally illuminated sign cabinets
• New Building construction