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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFacade Improvement Guidelines CITY OF COLLEGE STATION FACADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PROGRAM GUIDELINES Unless herein stated otherwise, general operating procedures contained in the Community Development General Administrative Guidelines will be followed. 1'. GOAL AND STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The goal of the City of College Station Facade Improvement Program is twofold: (1) to restore and preserve the historical integrity and character of certain targeted areas within the city limits of College Station(see attached map for eligible areas); and (2) to increase the economic vitality of these eligible areas. 2. OBJECTIVES: In many ways, commercial development helps to define the character of our City., With this in mind, the City of College Station has developed this program to actively revitalize declining commercial areas. The primary objectives of this program are as follows: (1) to create public-private partnerships between the City of College Station and the Merchants/Property Owners in the targeted areas through offering economic incentives for the renovation, restoration, and preservation of commercial building exterior facades and the correction of code violations; (2) to stimulate economic development and redevelopment, thereby increasing sales tax revenues and property values; (3) to ensure the survival of the areas' architectural and cultural history; and (4) to eliminate slum and blighting conditions in the eligible areas through the correction of building code and Property Maintenance Regulations' (anti-neglect)violations. 'Property Maintenance Regulations-Section 5 of Chapter 3 of the City Code of Ordinances Facade Improvement Program Program Guidelines Page 2 Measurable accomplishments will be monitored by determining the amount of private funds made available for reinvestment and the number of code violations eliminated. Intangible results will be documented through the obvious aesthetic improvements to the buildings' exterior and the revitalization of the area. 3. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION: The Facade Improvement Program will be operated in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations of the City of College Station, the State of Texas, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) depending on the type of funding utilized. Administrative procedures used to implement the program will be added and modified to meet any changes made to such rules and regulations of the above entities which may occur over time. Administrative authority for operation of the program will rest with the Office of City Manager. The Community Development Office will serve as the approving office for program eligibility, contract negotiation, and any required change orders to the contract. The Community Development Administrator will have direct responsibility for the daily administration of the program. A five member Facade Improvement Program Advisory Committee appointed by the City Council will assist in the implementation of the program. All projects proposed under the auspices of this program shall be reviewed by this committee. This committee shall be a body appointed by the City Council and the voting membership shall consist of(1) one registered architect, (2) one merchant and/or property owner located within the applicant's eligible targeted area, (3) City Engineer, or designee, (4) City Planner, or designee, and (5) Community Development Administrator, or designee. The Chairperson of the City's Historical Preservation Committee shall serve as a non-voting member. The Position Two membership of the committee shall vary based on the eligible area being funded. The Advisory Committee's duties will include the establishment and review of Facade Improvement Program rehabilitation and design standards and the periodic re-examination of the Facade Improvement Program's program guidelines and eligible areas. k The AdvisoryCommittee's initial terms of office shall be three years for the architect and two years for the \e, merchant and/or property owner. All terms thereafter shall be for three years. City staff positions 4will be''\ permanent positions. 4. PROG ' M DESCRIPTION: The City of C•llege Station, with funding through its Community Development Block Grant and other funds that may become ,vailable, will provide a grant of up to TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($10,000.00)to eligible property o -rs or merchants to make specifically defined improvements to commercial buildings in the eligible area. This want will not have to be repaid. The property owner and/or merchant will be required to provide matching funds of thirty percent(30%) in order to receive grant funds. Any project costs in excess of the $10,000 grant and the match of$3,000 will be the responsibility of the applicant (subject to availability of other grants as described below). Facade Improvement Program Program Guidelines Page 3 In addition to this nt, a property owner may apply for a grant of up to THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($3,000) by providing dollar for dollar matching funds. The total funds available in this program at any given time may restrict the City's ability to meet a grant request. Applications shall be processed in accordance to any funding priorities identified by the City Council as areas of significant need, including the funding of"pocket areas" with an eligible target area. Applications for buildings with the highest significance rating as determined by the Advisory Committee of that eligible area shall be processed first. Otherwise, applications which have provided all requested information shall be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. 5. ELIGIBLE AREAS: See attached map for eligible redevelopment areas. Funds will be made available only to commercial properties located within eligible and identified redevelopment areas. Eligible redevelopment areas are those areas defined by the City Council as being "blighted areas". A"blighted area" is defined by its substantial number of substandard, deteriorating, or deteriorated structures that impairs or arrests the sound growth of the City or constitutes an economic or social liability and/or menace to the public health, safety, or welfare in its present condition or use; and due to the number of vacant buildings and existence of violations of building and Property Maintenance Regulations. Other areas in the City will be reviewed on an annual basis for eligibility. In addition, funds may annually be targeted by the Advisory Committee of that eligible area to certain "pocket areas" within an eligible area in order to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the program. 6. PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: O The building must be occupied or available to a commercial tenant and located in the eligible areas shown on the attached map. Exterior renovations of buildings constructed before 1950 will be subject to review by the Texas Historical Commission. New building construction is not eligible. ri Eligible applicants include both the owner(s) of a business (merchant) located in an eligible building and the property owner(s). The application must be signed by all parties (property owner(s) and/or mcrchant(s)) requesting participation in the program. Should the property owner(s) or merchant(s) designate an alternate representative, a legal power of attorney document needs to be submitted with the application. O Applicants must verify that there are no code enforcement actions, tax liens,judgment liens, or delinquent property taxes owed currently active against the property, or the property owner must submit a payment agreement approved by the taxing authority and the City. The property owner must demonstrate an acceptable payment history for 6 months prior to project approval. El A "due diligence" financial review will be conducted by staff to ensure that the applicant is not subject to bankruptcy or foreclosure. Applicant shall provide documentation of financial stability and a sworn Facade Improvement Program Program Guidelines Page 4 statement that they are not in bankruptcy, about to enter bankruptcy, and that they are current on all indebtedness that does, or could, affect the value or ownership of the property or business. O Funds may not be approved for work which is in progress or has been completed. O Projects must be reviewed and approved before renovation work may begin. O Prior to project approval, all proposed projects will undergo an environmental review conducted by Community Development staff. Conditions identified in this review may require remediation and will be reviewed for eligibility for grant funds. O Any expenditures which exceeds approved grant amounts shall be the sole responsibility of the applicant(s). The City will notify the applicant(s) in writing of the maximum amount of the available grant. The applicant will then submit to the City documentation showing availability and commitment of matching funds prior to the project being presented to the Advisory Committee for that eligible area. O All funds to be supplied by the applicant for the completion of the project will be deposited with the City into an escrow account prior to construction contract negotiation. 7. IMPROVEMENTS ELIGIBLE-FOR GRANT FUNDS: All eligible improvements must be approved by the Community Development Office and the Facade Improvement Program Advisory Committee for that eligible area, and be in compliance with all City and State code requirements. All existing exterior code violations located along the main facade of the building must be corrected immediately and will receive first priority in reference to eligible grant expenditures. The following items are eligible expenses for grant funding: O Exterior painting of the main facade of the building. O The repair or replacement of existing exterior doors, windows, and exterior trimwork located on the main facade of the building. O The repair, replacement, or installation of awnings on the main facade. Any awning containing any temporary or permanent lettering or logo will be considered a "sign" and not be eligible for grant funding. Permanently installed awnings that merely provide brackets or support for signs are eligible. O Exterior brick or tile repair or replacement of the main facade. O The installation of display window lighting along the main facade. Illuminated hanging signs in the display window will not be eligible for grant funding. El Exterior brick paving sidewalk improvement along the front facade of the building. Facade Improvement Program Program Guidelines Page 5 O Structural improvements to the main facade of the building. O Electrical or lighting improvements made to the main facade of the building. O Any permanent building improvement which specifically provides better access for handicapped citizens and meets federal ADA dimensions and standards. O The removal or abatement of any hazardous material or substance from the building as outlined and specified by the Texas Department of Public Health, EPA, HUD, or TXDOT. 8. IMPROVEMENTS ELIGIBLE FOR MATCHING FUNDS: All eligible improvements must be approved by the Community Development Office and the Advisory Committee for that eligible area and be in compliance with all City and State code requirements. Only permanent building improvements will be considered for eligibility. Code violations must be corrected first and will receive first priority status. The following items are not eligible expenses for the matching funds provided by the owner or business owner: (1) Architectural fees, (2) Satellite equipment, audio or video equipment, and (3)computer systems. The Advisory Committee will make the final determination as to the eligibility of matching improvements. 9. APPLICATION PROCESS: Applications will initially be reviewed for program eligibility and funding by Community Development staff. Eligible applications will be forwarded, with accompanying staff recommendation regarding funding and program priorities, to the Facade Improvement Program Advisory Committee for that eligible area. The Advisory Committee will make final selection of projects to receive funding subject to any "pocket areas" priorities, City staff will develop program agreements to award the grants, and then funded projects will be reviewed for project design and feasibility. The Community Development Office in cooperation with TAMU and local architects will assist applicants in the preparation of standard facade design and construction drawings (if necessary) illustrating approved eligible facade improvements. A maximum of three meetings are available to discuss the design of improvements. The applicant may also use his own architect; however, if the applicant selects an architect, the architect's fees are not eligible expenses under this program. However, if detailed working drawings are required and the applicant uses the City's preferred architect, the costs for such work will be an eligible program expenditure. The Advisory Committee, in reviewing each proposal, shall consider the City's land use and development codes, any studies relevant to the eligible area, (i.e. the Northgate Revitalization and Redevelopment Study), any development guidelines relevant to the eligible area(i.e., Northgate Development Guidelines), and the standards and policies within the Zoning Ordinance. Standards and policies of the Zoning Ordinance take precedence over • . Facade Improvement Program Program Guidelines Page 6 other applicable codes and ordinances where conflict exists. In addition, the Advisory Committee may also consider the following factors: O Exterior space utilization. O Attractiveness. O Material selection. D Harmony and compatibility. O Circulation- vehicular and pedestrian. O Maintenance aspects. The Advisory Committee will make recommendations to the Community Development Office regarding each proposal applying for Facade Improvement Program funds. 10. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: All improvements must be reviewed for compliance with applicable local, state, and federal requirements and approved in advance by the City's Community Development and Planning Divisions. O Applicants are to designate one person who will be the applicant's contact person for this project. The contact person notifies all other persons of the time and date for design meetings. O Applicant agrees to maintain improvements at a similar or higher level/quality for a minimum of five years. Modifications to facade improvements must conform to appropriate architectural designs and building exteriors must be maintained in accordance with city building and anti-neglect standards. In addition, any subsequent leases during this five year period will include language requiring any subsequent alteration to facades be in accordance with the design and review standards of the Facade Improvement Program. O Buildings renovated under this program must be occupied by commercial tenants or be available for commercial occupancy for a period of five years. O All projects utilizing funds subject to Davis-Bacon Federal Wage Standards regulations in excess of$2,000 must comply with The Davis-Bacon Act, which provides for payment of prevailing wages to persons employed on a federally funded construction/rehabilitation project. O All funded projects must maintain adequate hazard insurance for a period of five years following project completion. This requirement may be waived upon recommendation of the Advisory Committee for proposed projects that address health and safety issues. Facade Improvement Program Program Guidelines Page 7 O A Site Plan reflecting property lines and the structure relative to those property lines will be required as well as, any amenities on sidewalks or walkways. O All appropriate permits must be obtained prior to beginning the facade improvements. By approval of these program guidelines, the City Council is agreeing to the waiver of fees for appropriate building, electrical, plumbing, or signage (etc.)permits. O Painted buildings are required to be repainted under this program as the first improvement. After painting, other eligible improvements can be funded with the remaining funds. O The applicant will be responsible for all costs in excess of approved grant funds. Any contingency work will be authorized by the Community Development Office and applicant prior to implementation. O All bidding procedures and contractor selection will be subject to local, state, and federal procedures. Every effort will be made to award bids in groups in order to increase program efficiency. O Bids will be solicited only from contractors included in the City's Community Development Facade Improvement Program Qualified Contractors List. This list will be presented to each applicant for review. Applicants will have the opportunity to refer any contractor of their choice to the City for determination of inclusion on this list. O Work for funded projects must begin and be completed within a time-frame established by the Advisory Committee. O The City will administer, as the applicant's agent, the bidding process, the supervision of the construction, the release of progress payments, and provide the form of construction contract. O All requirements established by the City of College Station regarding this program are subject to change. 11. APPEALS PROCESS: "' The approval for the eligibility of receipt of federal funding per regulatory compliance shall rest solely with the Community Development Office. Appeals from decisions of the Advisory Committee shall be to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Applicants appealing must do so in writing and within ten (10) days of the Advisory Committee's decision. Appeals shall be submitted to the Community Development Office. A representative from the Community Development Office shall schedule a hearing of the appeal before the Planning and Zoning Commission within thirty (30) days from receipt of the letter of appeal. • Facade Improvement Program Program Guidelines Page 8 12. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: If the proposed building will undergo exterior changes or alter historically significant interior space, the changes must be reviewed and approved by the appropriate state or local entity before the project can be funded. The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation (see attached) will be utilized for all projects determined historically significant. The Facade Improvement Program Advisory Committee will retain the right to waive program requirements in order to facilitate the program's Council-approved goals. • ••• .,..,k . . • • JL --11 . . ..... 1 , 8TASNY \ 1 MEW IMIIMa aMM. .11016MV WeVIDMI ftuc, i•Vqt H UMBER 17 i I q--1 I E=D i ff Ls I --- _C- 1 _ COLLEGE-AINt4 i ', r C? (-IL Cl n I rt i .0. E ------1 r. , iL I ElE100071 ' 1- i pi 101 I CI 4 IA I NORTHGATE FACADE IMPROVEMENTPROGRAM ELIGIBILITY AREA College&Won* 1 1 2iiiiiiiiw405 2° September MS The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation& Illustrated Guidelines for Rehab... Page 1 of 1 A :or National Park Service x1 _ t . , .. pi Rent_ a r '.t ♦ ►its k I , .. krEl X,J 0 The Secretary of the Interior"s Standards for Rehabilitation T, Start I Email I Search I Credits I Technical Preservation Services I NPS History & Culture Gu,-, ckt1Ak5 httn•//www_nns.gov/history/hps/tps/tax/rhb/index.htm 2/7/2008 Facade Improvement Program Sparks Building 401 - 405 University Drive 4,.. ,. a..., ;N may •w. =a v r scz, . 4 101 IM�'i15 i,rioik; , ,- , toiler �.� ,, BEFORE AFTER • Built in approx. 1925 • Two-story, wood framed building with brick veneer • High in historical significance (due to age), but carries no designations in the National Historic Register • Owner applied for FIP funding on 12/19/95 • Project approved 07/11/96 and completed 05/21/97 • Façade renovation elements were brick and mortar repair, replacement of rot or termite damaged wooden structural members as exposed, awning replacement (along University Dr. and College Main), door and window repairs and/or replacements, signage, lighting and painting • Funding: Owner Contribution (approx): $ 44,000 City's Contribution (approx): $ 76,000 Total Cost (approx): $120,000 • Finalist in the 1997 Texas Downtown Association Award program for "Best Rehabilitation Project"