Facade Grant Program
Program Statement
To utilize tax increment revenues
available to the Allen Park Downtown Development
Authority to revitalize building components of
commercial buildings in the business district
consistent with Building Design Standards and
criteria adopted by the Downtown Development
Authority.
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For a listing of
PreQualified Architects,
click here. |
Purposes of the Program:
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To directly stimulate design
improvements to business district buildings
consistent with Building Design Standards.
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To assist with building
improvements sensitive to the unique context of
the business district’s commercial architectural
character.
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To encourage physical
improvements to businesses to make them
attractive to Allen Park’s consumer market.
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To encourage adaptive reuse and
creative projects which add to the economic
diversity of the Allen Park business district.
Program Description
Architectural Services
The DDA will reimburse up to four
(4) hours of time to consult with an architectural
firm, from a preapproved list, that is familiar with
revitalization of older buildings and knowledgeable
of historic preservation and the Building Design
Standards, IF the application is successfully
approved.
Additionally, the DDA, at no cost to
the applicant, will provide for a one-hour in-office
consultation with a pre-qualified architect to
discuss compliance with the Standards and
preliminary ideas for the building.
Building Design Standards
Program applicant and applicant’s
architect shall consult and utilize building façade
criteria specified in the Building Design Standards.
If the building possesses unique
conditions not fully addressed in the design
criteria, then the DDA Planner and DDA Architect
shall review the conceptual designs and methods for
construction and make a determination on their
acceptability.
Facade Easement
Program applicants or the property
owner, if not one and the same, shall execute and
deliver a façade easement in a form provided by the
Allen Park DDA.
The term of the façade easement
shall be 5 years. The applicant shall be required to
name the Allen Park DDA as an additional insured on
its liability insurance policy for the façade only.
Grant Terms:
A minimum of three matching grants
will become available on July 1 of each fiscal year
the program is budgeted. The Board will review each
applicant on a case-by-case basis.
Matching grant payments will be made
in the form of reimbursement upon completion of the
improvement in a manner acceptable to the Authority
and acceptance by the appropriate municipal
authorities.
Standards for Grant Decisions:
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Applicants for grant projects
must be located within the boundaries of the DDA
district. Tenant applicants are required to
submit written evidence of building owner
approval of the application for funds dealing
with improvements to the building.
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Grants will not be considered
for residential property, national franchises,
or tax exempt properties.
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All proposed façade improvements
are to be approved by the DDA Board. Applicants
who deviate from the approved application may be
disqualified from the program.
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All building improvements must
meet City of Allen Park building department and
zoning code requirements.
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Improvements to buildings must
meet the minimum guidelines for rehabilitation
outlined in the Building Design Standards.
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Maximum matching grant amounts
will be $10,000.00 per if each façade fronts an
alley or other public or semi-public space, Or,
per building or separate leaseable space
divisible by a common wall.
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Examples of ELIGIBLE and
INELIGIBLE activities are as follows:
Eligible improvements include, but are not
limited to:
- Demolition of Inappropriate façade
- Window Repair and Installation
- Masonry Work
- Removal on Non-compliant Signs
- Installation of Compliant Signs (those
which require a sign variance are
ineligible)
- ADA Compliance
Inelgible improvements, unless in conjunction
with eligible improvements included above, are
as follows:
- Awnings
- Painting
- Roof Repairs
- Energy Conservation
- Normal Building Maintenance
Grant Policy:
In addition to the guidelines and
standards stated above, the DDA Board shall evaluate
grant applications with the following policies in
mind:
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Program Impact: The grant
program boundaries include a substantial number
of buildings and it is recognized that
improvements to one structure may not have as
great an impact on the business district as
improvements to another.
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Project Area Impact:
Consideration will be given to those applicants
who elect to improve both the front (street) and
the rear (parking lot) facades of the building.
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Applications will not be
considered for work already complete.
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The DDA will annually establish
a budget for the amount of funds they will
commit to the grant program
Considering that the total program
is limited, it is the intent of the Board to provide
the business district with the greatest impact
possible consistent with the Building Design
Standards.
The DDA Board reserves the right to
reject an application for a building which, in the
Board’s evaluation, is in an advanced state of
deterioration so that the proposed investment is at
best a stopgap measure against imminent demolition.
Program Implementation:
Marketing:
The Allen Park DDA will inform the
building owners and tenants, and the community as to
availability and benefits of the grant program.
Examples of acceptable marketing techniques would
include: media advertisements, a brochure and
meetings with individuals as necessary.
Application Process
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Applications for the program
will be available at the Office of the Allen
Park Downtown Development Authority.
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The application packet will
include an application, program description, the
Building Design Standards and examples of
required documents.
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The Applicant can meet with the
DDA Director to review the preliminary scope of
work to ensure consistency with Building Design
Standards.
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The DDA Director will review the
application only after all necessary information
has been submitted in a neat and thorough
fashion. The Director reserves the right to
reject incomplete or illegible applications.
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The Director will forward the
application to the full Board of the Allen Park
Downtown Development Authority for review. If
approved, the grant amount awarded is final.
Requests to increase grant funding will not be
accepted.
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If denied, the Director will
explain within 30 days, in writing, to the
applicant the reasons for rejection and what, if
any, steps can be taken to receive approval.
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If the Board rejects the
application, the applicant has the option of
reapplying.
Post Application Procedure
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The property owner will be
responsible for ensuring that any work done is
consistent with the program and the design as
approved. The Director will be available for
consultation and to provide clarification of the
Board’s intent.
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The Director must approve any
changes in work. Action on changes may be
deferred to the DDA Board.
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The Director shall note all
approved changes in work at the bottom of the
application.
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Agents of the Board will conduct
periodic inspection to ensure compliance with
technical specifications. All work must pass
applicable city inspections.
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The Director will conduct a
final inspection before reimbursement will be
made. The contractor will provide a waiver of
lien to the Authority. Copies of all invoices,
paid in full, are necessary to process a
reimbursement.
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Deviations from an approved plan
may disqualify the applicant from the grant
program. In case of disqualification, the
applicant will forfeit all rights to
reimbursement.
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The project must be completed
within six months of the beginning of
construction.
Amendments to the Program:
The DDA Board may amend the details
of the grant program by majority vote.
Forms Available
Pre-Qualified
Architects
Cooper
Design
2900
Brockman Boulevard
Ann Arbor
MI 48104
Contact:
Gary Cooper
734-769-7007
Hourly
Rate: $90.00/Hour/Principal
"We
specialize in working with existing buildings,
particularly building facades. The character of the
existing, or original structure, is the basis for
all our work. We let the original character of the
façade guide any façade design."
Hamilton
Anderson Associates
1435
Randolph Suite 200
Detroit
MI 48226
Contact:
Kent Anderson
313-964-0270
Hourly
Rate: $160.00/Hour/Principal
"We take
pride in developing creative and responsible
solutions for such projects."
John
Dziurman Architects
1000 W.
University Drive Suite 315
Rochester
MI 48307
Contact:
John Dziurman
248-608-0300
Hourly
Rate: $95.00/Hour/Principal
"…brings
to this assignment a project team with extensive
background and experience with design guidelines for
historic and older buildings and structures
throughout the state, including creating the new
Building Design Standards for downtown Allen Park…"
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