Façade Improvement Program

PROGRAM PURPOSE:
The Village of Johnsburg has established a Façade Improvement Program to encourage the improvement of properties in all four of the Village’s Business Districts in an effort to revitalize and enhance the character of the area. The Village Board has pledged a portion of its Retail Occupation Tax Funds to support the program. The program is coordinated through the Village Administrator’s office. Funds are included in the annual budget and awarded on a merit basis. Applicants may use the Facade Improvement Program in coordination with other incentives when applicable.

REQUIREMENTS:
All projects must be located in either the Downtown District, Route 31 Retail Corridor, North Town District, or South River District (see the attached Business District Map). Improvements must be in conformance with the Village’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the Downtown or Route 31 Retail Corridor Addendums where applicable. Funding amounts are at the sole discretion of the Village. In determining the award of funds, the Village will consider the merits of the project and the amount of funding budgeted. Total project funding is limited to 50% of the project cost but in no case greater than $5,000
The Facade Improvement Program is a reimbursement program. Funds will be reimbursed by the Village only after all authorized work is completed, inspected and approved. Proof of payment to all contractors and/or subcontractors will be required before payment is made. No work for which funds are being pursued can proceed until the application has been approved.

ELIGIBILITY:
General:
The Façade Improvement Program is limited to commercial properties located in either the Downtown District, Route 31 Retail Corridor, North Town District, or South River District. Projects must be visible from the public way and improvements must meet the intent set forth in the Village’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the Downtown or Route 31 Retail Corridor Addendums where applicable. Properties with outstanding building, zoning or code violations are ineligible for the program.
Eligible Project Activities:
Activities eligible for funding are limited to the following:

• Construction costs

• Removal of dated and/or inappropriate building features

• Restoration of missing or altered features

• Masonry restoration or repair

• Painting

• Siding replacement

• Construction of accessibility improvements to the building’s exterior

Ineligible Project Activities:
The following activities are ineligible for funding:

• Design professional fees

• Architectural or structural engineering services

• Building permit fees and related costs

• Extermination of insects, rodents, vermin and other pests

• Title reports and legal fees

• Plumbing

• Sprinkler systems

• Working capital for business

• Landscaping

• Mechanical equipment

• Façade improvements such as flat roots which are not visible from public spaces

• Parking lot improvements

• Refinancing of existing debt

• Sweat equity

• Building and/or land acquisition

• Other improvements not specifically listed are subject to review by the Economic Development Committee as an advisory body and final consideration by the Village Board.

APPLICATION AND APPROVAL PROCESS:
Applicants must schedule a pre-application meeting with Village Administrator’s office. Depending on the scope of the project a pre-application design discussion may be scheduled with building department and other applicable personnel.

Applications will be reviewed by the Village Administrator’s office. The Economic Development Chairman and Finance Committee Chairman shall provide advice and consultation regarding the application.

Projects will be evaluated utilizing the following criteria:

• Aesthetic impact (location of improvement, magnitude of improvement)

• Thoroughness of application

• Demonstrated financial capability of applicant

• Funding availability/feasibility

Projects meeting the general criterial will be forwarded to the Economic Development Committee as an advisory body. Final consideration shall be made by the Village Board in its sole discretion.
Minor changes in scope may be approved by the Village Administrator’s office. Major changes will require the applicant to re-apply for funding.

A Façade Improvement Agreement must be executed prior to commencement of any work. The maximum amount of the reimbursement grant for a specific property will be set forth in the Agreement between the Village and the property owner or tenant. If actual costs exceed the original estimates set forth in the agreement, the property owner or tenant will be responsible for the amount exceeding the estimate. The Village will not reimburse more than the reimbursable amount set forth in the Agreement.

COMPLETION OF WORK:
All improvements must be completed within 180 days of the execution of the Façade Improvement Agreement, unless otherwise authorized by the Village Board in its sole discretion. A maximum extension of one year may be granted if justified by the particular circumstances. If the work is not completed by the end of the extension, the Village’s obligation to reimburse the owner or tenant for the project is terminated. Each property address/property identification number is eligible for one (1) Facade Improvement Program reimbursement.

Upon completion of the façade improvements, the funding recipient must schedule a final inspection and submit invoices validating project costs. Project costs/expenditures are subject to audit by the Village of Johnsburg.

Reimbursement is subject to Federal and State Taxes and is reported to the Internal Revenue Service on a form 1099. Recipient will be required to provide Taxpayer ID number or Social Security Number as part of the Façade Improvement Program award. Property owners and tenants should consult their tax advisor for tax liability information.

The property owner and tenant will be responsible for maintaining the façade improvements without alterations for a period of five (5) years unless otherwise approved by the Village Board in its sole discretion.