NEWBERRY — The time is now for downtown businesses to put in their applications for the 2017 Downtown Façade Improvement Grant Program.
The purpose of this program is to improve the facades of downtown buildings so that after the work is complete, residents will notice marked improvements in the appearance of the building, and the physical environment of downtown.
“The façade grant program has been a beneficial tool for our downtown business district. Over the four year of the grant, the City has had the opportunity to positively impact many store fronts,” said Matt DeWitt, city manager with the City of Newberry. “We feel it is important to continue this practice moving forward, so that we may maintain the positive pedestrian experience our downtown currently provides and wishes to continue to provide. I encourage you to come on down to downtown Newberry and see what all the fuss is about, especially if you haven’t been in a while.”
They City of Newberry created the program for a variety of reasons, which include promoting storefront rehabilitation in the Historic Downtown area, preserve the unique character of downtown’s historic buildings, encourage aesthetic compatibility for improvements to facades of non-historic structures and encourage the use of quality materials in the rehabilitation of downtown properties.
Qualifying projects are eligible for a grant match of 90% on projects up to $10,000 per façade (or $9,000 on a $10,000 project): 90% (City of Newberry) / 10% (Applicant) matching basis as funds are available. However, this does not mean that projects are capped at $10,000, applicants are encouraged to strongly leverage their grant funds to get the most from their investment.
There are a few eligibility requirements for those looking to apply, owners or tenants may request the grant, but any tenant must have owner’s written permission attached to the application, Owner or tenant of a business/commercial building located within one of the two Downtown historic district boundaries. (Main Street or Newberry Historic District), if a property owner owns more than one building or facade in downtown, he or she will be eligible for only one grant per year as funds are limited, no more than one grant per location per year will be available, the property shall be classified as business/commercial and there must be no delinquent bills, business license, charges or taxes due to the City.
There are also a number of grant guidelines applicants need to keep in mind. Must meet all City of Newberry Architectural Review Board’s guidelines and requirements. Rehabilitation work must conform to the City of Newberry’s Building Codes. Rehabilitation of structures in the downtown district should respect the architectural integrity of the entire building and retain those elements that enhance the building.
Façade grant applications may be made for structures within the defined boundaries, with priority given to renovation projects that visibly improve downtown facades, including buildings with inappropriately applied facades that cover windows, or that are unsightly, out-of-scale, or in need of general repair work. All properties classified as business/commercial within one of the two Downtown historic district boundaries. (Main Street or Newberry Historic District) may apply for grant funds.
Improvements may include, but are not limited to:Façade improvements, brick or wall surface cleaning, patching and painting of facade walls, signage or exterior lighting replacement/repair (only established businesses three years old or older are eligible for sign replacement), structure or frame that contains or holds a sign, canopy, porch, awning installation/repair, window and/or door replacement/repair, mortar joint repair, railings, ironwork repair or addition and cornice repair and/or replacement.
Another item of note includes the removal of inappropriate additions to buildings and non-compliant signs, these may qualify based on the effect the removal will have on the appearance of downtown.
Ineligible improvements include but are not limited to: building maintenance including paint to match existing conditions and differed general repairs; parking lot improvements; interior or roof improvements; removal of architecturally significant building features; purchase property, inventory or operating capital; any activity completed prior to receiving grant funds. Also, any improvements that have been made through this grant program may not be removed from the property unless they can be used, without significant alterations, on another property within downtown.
There are also a number of design guidelines applicants must keep in mind. Any improvements should contribute to the pedestrian environment by enhancing the aesthetic impact of the faced by adding visual interest to the streetscape. Improvements should provide a year round impact, they should be complete in ways that are compatible with the original design of the structure, they should not shield from public view nor cause the removal of architecturally significant features, should contribute to the building’s character and should encourage other restoration or redevelopment within the downtown area.
A property may be eligible for an additional grant if at least three years have passed since the last grant was awarded and the property is in need of further improvement, and/or the existing business/property undergoes significant expansion which requires improvement to the property.
Applications are now available at City Hall or on the front page of www.cityofnewberry.com. Applications should include, along with the proposed improvement plan, two qualified and professional estimates of cost are to be included with the application.
All applications are due by Oct. 31, approval of all applications will be Nov. 16 and project completion will need to be on or before May 31, 2018.