Grant Improvement Program

Program Statement
Purpose of Program
Who is an Eligible Applicant
What is an Eiligible Building
Eligible Improvements
Ineligible Improvment Expenses
Application Process and Approval
Funding Terms
Façade Easement Agreement
Building Design Standards
Other Program Guidelines
Project Timetable
Post Application Procedure
Amendments to the Program

Program Statement

The City of Allen Park Downtown Development Authority established the Grant Improvement Program to utilize tax increment revenues available to the Allen Park DDA to revitalize building components of commercial buildings in the business district consistent with Building Design Standards and criteria adopted by the Downtown Development Authority.

The intent of the Grant Improvement Program is to strengthen the economic viability of downtown Allen Park by providing financial incentives for improving the exterior appearance of its buildings.

Purpose of the Program

• To directly stimulate design improvements to business district buildings consistent with Building Design Standards.
• To assist with building improvements sensitive to the unique context of the business district’s commercial architectural character.
• To encourage physical improvements to businesses to make them attractive to Allen Park’s consumer market.
• To encourage adaptive reuse and creative projects which add to the economic diversity of the Allen Park business district.

Who is an Eligible Applicant

• Any owner or tenant of a building located within the boundaries of the DDA district may apply for grant funds.
• Tenant applicants are required to submit written evidence of building owner approval of the application for funds dealing with improvements to the building.
• Property taxes and other city services accounts must be current at the time of approval and funding.

What is an Eligible Building

• Any existing building located within the DDA district which is owned and used by an eligible applicant is considered eligible for grant funds.
• Where a building under single ownership is divided into more than one unit for purposes of commercial tenancy, each separate unit that has an individual storefront façade and an independent ground floor entry shall be eligible to receive grant funds.  These multiple tenant façade projects shall not exceed $50,000.00 per unit, subject to funding availability.

Eligible Improvements

Materials and wages for exterior improvements to the front, rear and side entrances of eligible buildings, subject to funding availability:

Ineligible Improvement Expenses

Any expense not specifically stated under eligible expenses such as but not limited to the following:

Application Process and Approval

• Applications and required forms for the program may be obtained at the www.allenparkdowntown.com or at the office of the Allen Park Downtown Development Authority, 6543 Allen Road, Allen Park, MI  48101.
• The applicant can meet with the DDA Director to review the preliminary scope of work to ensure consistency with Building Design Standards.
• 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.
• The Director will forward the application to the 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.
• If denied, the Director may explain within 30 days, in writing, to the applicant the reasons for rejection and what, if any, steps can be taken to receive approval.
• If the Board rejects the application, the applicant has the option of reapplying.

Funding Terms

Subject to funding availability and project approval, the DDA will consider applications for grants of up to fifty percent (50%) of the cost of exterior building façade and site improvements from the lowest qualified contractor’s bid.  The maximum grant shall not exceed $50,000.00 per building or separate leasable space divisible by a common wall.  Applicant is limited to the maximum amount allowed ($50,000.00) every five (5) years.

The DDA will annually establish a budget for the amount of funds they will commit to the Grant Improvement Program.  Funds will become available on July 1st of each fiscal year the program is budgeted.  Final determination of eligibility will be made by the Allen Park DDA Board.

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.

Façade Easement Agreement

In consideration of the use of Grant Improvement Funds, a façade easement is required to be issued to the Allen Park DDA.  This easement is intended to insure that the façade and its features are adequately maintained during the life of the easement.  The term of the easement is five (5) years and must be signed by the owner of the premises as grantor to the DDA. The easement form is provided by the DDA.

The applicant is required to name the Allen Park DDA as an additional insured on its liability insurance policy for the façade grant only.

Building Design Standards

• 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.
• Program applicant and applicant’s architect shall consult and utilize building façade criteria specified in the Building Design Standards.
• Applicants are encouraged to utilize the downtown theme:  “Retro Feel, Timeless Appeal”.
• If the building possesses unique conditions not fully addressed in the design criteria, the DDA Director and/or DDA Grant Committee shall review the proposed designs and methods for construction and make a determination on their acceptability.
• Projects approved for Grant Improvement Program funds must comply with the DDA’s Building Design Standards and all applicable City of Allen Park building codes and ordinances. 

Other Program Guidelines

In addition to the guidelines and standards stated above, the DDA Board shall evaluate grant applications with the following policies in mind:

• Program Impact:  The Grant Improvement 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.
• 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.
• All proposed building improvements are to be approved by the DDA Board.  Applicants who deviate from the approved application may be disqualified from the program.
• All building improvements must meet City of Allen Park building department codes and zoning ordinances.
• All projects will need a building permit and most will require site plan approval by the City Allen Park Building Department.
• All new Grants shall not exceed the amount approved by the Building Dept. at the time of permit issuance.
• Any variance in amount of submitted paid receipts must be approved by the Building Dept. and DDA.
• At the DDA’s discretion, an exception to any grant guideline may be granted due to special conditions or situations.

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.

Project Timetable

• Once the DDA approves an applicant, the applicant has six (6) months to complete the project.  If the project is not completed within this six (6) month period, the applicant must resubmit an application to received grant funds.  At the time of reapplication the DDA Board will evaluate the status of the project and at its discretion, will approve or deny the funding commitment.  This reapplication is subject to available funding at the time of the resubmission.
• Within a five (5) year period, a property owner may not apply for grant funds more than twice for the same store unit.
• The total amount granted to property owner and or business tenant for the same store unit during a 5-year period may not exceed $50,000.00.
• Whenever the property ownership changes, the new owner is eligible for grant funds. A new 5-year timetable and $50,000.00 maximum would apply to the new owner provided all other grant guidelines are followed.

Post Application Procedure

• 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.
• Deviations from an approved plan may disqualify the applicant from the Grant Improvement Program.  In case of disqualification, the applicant will forfeit all rights to reimbursement.
• The Director must approve any changes in work.  The Director shall note all approved changes in work at the bottom of the application.  Action on changes may be deferred to the DDA Board or Grant Committee for review.
• Grant Committee Members of the Board will conduct periodic inspection to ensure compliance with technical specifications.  All work must pass applicable city inspections.
• 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.
• If all conditions for payment are satisfied, the DDA Board authorizes disbursement of funds.  Grant funds are usually disbursed to the applicant within 30 days of DDA Board approval of completed work.
• After the payment of Grant funds has been issued, the DDA shall notify the City Assessor of improvements made to the site.

Amendments To The Program

The DDA Board reserves the right to amend without the details of the Grant Improvement Program by majority vote.