Despite the setback of the petition to suspend the sale of $6.5 million in obligation bonds for work on the Belleville Downtown Development Authority's Main Street project, the DDA continues to work to improve its Main Street district.
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On Wednesday night, the DDA revealed and discussed its proposed FaÁade Enhancement program.
The DDA hopes to encourage appropriate improvements to commercial facades that are readily visible to the public and to improve the physical appearances of independent businesses in the DDA district.
One of the major incentives is a 50/50 matching loan of up to $20,000 for facades of buildings, including their front, sides and rears, signage, landscaping, restoration of architectural details, new or better windows, doors and lighting.
The loan will be interest free with a maximum amortization period of period of five years.
"You did a great job. This is an incentive to invite improvement," DDA vice- chair Kerreen Conley said.
"You might want to reconsider the five year loan repayment.
The DDA would provide 50 percent of the cost of the approved faÁade improvement project by providing an equally apportioned grant to an interest free loan at a maximum municipal contribution of $20,000.
"For example, the maximum municipal contribution for a project would be a $10,000 grant and a $10,000 interest free loan," DDA member Shawna Austin said.
"We capped it at $20,000."
The minimum municipal contribution for any project may be $1,000.
This requires the construction project to have total eligible expenditures of at least $2,000.
The loan would be recorded on the tax roll and will be registered and discharged by the DDA in accordance.
"The loan is fully open and can be repaid in full at any time before the end of the loan's term," Austin said.
Members of the DDA clarified work that is eligible for the faÁade improvement loan and grants.
Included are restoration and/ or replacement of new brickwork, cleaning of brickwork and cladding, cornices, eaves, parapets, windows, doors, lighting, landscaping and exterior painting.
"The purpose of the faÁade program is to improve the city, not just the windows," Austin said.
Program funds may not be utilized for refinancing existing debts, property acquisition, interior improvements, site plan, building or sign permit fees, interior improvements, property appraisal costs or legal fees, labor costs paid to the applicant/ owner or costs paid by the applicant in merchandise or in- kind services.
"It would not include repaving or improving parking lots," DDA chair Rosemary Loria said.
Interested owners/ tenants are encouraged to contact the Belleville DDA Coordinator, Carol Thompson, to discuss the program and get an application.
Application, design parameters and approvals are reviewed with the DDA subcommittee.
The owner/ tenants will need three copies of the application form and proposed faÁade design and a minimum of two estimates for the work or works to be undertaken.
"The lowest bid is not the criteria for acceptances," Loria said.
Relevant building permit fees apply to the owner and the DDA will submit its recommendation to city council.
If approved, the owner/ tenant will receive a formal approval letter and then sign the financial assistance agreement.
The financial assistance agreement sets the terms and conditions of the municipal financial assistance and loan repayment plan.
When the faÁade work is completed, a statement with supporting invoices shall be submitted to the DDA.
The planning commission will then inspect the work.
If approved, notice of completion will be issued upon which the financial assistance will be initiated.
Funding approval will lapse if a notice of completion is not issued within eight months of the date of execution of the financial assistance agreement.
The DDA may grant an extension of up to four months following receipt of a written request by the owner setting out the reasons for the extension and providing a new date of completion.
The Belleville DDA meets at 7:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month at the Belleville Municipal Bldg., 6 Main St.
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