96-202 Resolution No. 96-202
RESOLUTION
ADOPTING THE ELGIN AMENDED FACADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ELGIN,
ILLINOIS, that it hereby adopts the Elgin Amended Facade
Improvement Program dated June 26 , 1996 for the improvement,
renovation and restoration of buildings to the original
architecture of the building, a copy of which is attached.
sl Kevin Kelly
Kevin Kelly, Mayor
Presented: June 26 , 1996
Adopted: June 26 , 1996
Omnibus Vote: Yeas 6 Nays 0
Attest:
sl Dolonna Mecum
Dolonna Mecum, City Clerk
June 26, 1996
ELGIN AMENDED FACADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Introduction
The City of Elgin has committed itself to revitalization of
its center city. This commitment manifests itself in
implementation of the Center City Master Plan, a blueprint for
redevelopment of Elgin' s center core area. A vital component
to the success of this redevelopment effort is the involvement
of private property owners . The City hopes to encourage
private investment in commercial buildings of the area through
a program which offers financial incentives to businesses to
improve the appearance and quality of their storefronts .
The Elgin Facade Improvement Program is designed to promote
storefronts in the City' s center core area. Under the Facade
Improvement Program, property owners or business owners within
the target area are eligible to apply for grants equal to 35
percent of the cost of improving their storefronts or building
facades . These grants are provided in recognition of the
positive impact that individual facade renovations can have on
the overall appearance and quality of their storefronts .
Target Area
A map indicating the program' s target area is presented as
Exhibit A. The building for which assistance through the
Facade Improvement Program is sought must be located in the
target area.
Type of Assistance
Property owners or business owners who install at least $1,000
of improvements under this program will receive a
reimbursement grant equal to 35 percent of the cost of the
work. Additional grants of $2,500 for each story over two
stories will be available to the project.
Two or more building owners and/or business owners
representing adjacent properties may submit a joint
application. In such case, the amount of rebate will be
adjusted upward depending upon the number of property
owners/business owners involved.
No. Properties Percent Rebate
2 40%
3 45%
4 or more 50%
It is not the purpose of the program to finance ongoing
improvements which may be considered part of the building' s
regular maintenance. Each eligible improvement will be funded
by the program only once. However, the applicant may present
the project in phases with completion scheduled within two
years . Each phase shall involve facade improvement not
included in any other phase of the project. Rebates may then
be approved for each phase.
Facade renovations of upper floors may be eligible if first
floor improvements are included in the project or if the
existing ground floor is compatible with the original building
architecture as determined by the City' s staff architect.
Ownership
Eligible applicants may be the owner of a commercial building
or the owner of a commercial business in the target area.
Business owners who are tenants of a building for which
improvements are planned must provide written consent from the
building owner for all proposed improvements . The tenant
applicant must have at least a five year lease at the location
in order to apply under the program.
Eligible Improvements
The Facade Improvement Program is geared to facade
improvements ranging from minor repairs and painting to
complete facade renovation.
Eligible improvements include brick cleaning and tuck
pointing, painting, signs, window display area remodeling,
exterior lighting, window and/or door replacement, awnings,
restoration of original architectural features and other
improvements visible from the street and have a positive
appearance of the building. Sandblasting of brick will not be
funded under the program nor will the program participate in
any project which includes sandblasting.
Awnings and canopies may be used as a design element if those
features are compatible with the original building design and
complement the building' s architectural features . Mansard
roofs and fixed shingle canopies will not be an eligible cost
under the program.
Detailed architectural design work is an eligible cost under
the program.
All facades generally visible from a public right-of-way,
including front, sides and rear of building, are eligible for
the Facade Improvement Program.
In addition to the financial assistance, applicants will
receive a conceptual design and an outline work specification
prepared by an architect under contract with the City.
The Facade Improvement Application Process
Application and Administrative Procedures
1 . Merchants or property owners will receive a copy of the
Elgin Facade Improvement Program guidelines and
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application form. The completed application should be
submitted to the Program Coordinator for processing along
with a $50. 00 non-refundable application fee. If more
applications are received than current funding levels
will allow, the City reserves the right to prioritize the
applications on the basis of the location of the project,
the extent of the work, the level of private funding, and
the relative impact of the proposed improvements on the
area.
2 . All application materials will be forwarded to an
architect under contract with the City. The architect
will prepare a conceptual design plan and an outline work
specification. On-site inspections or personal
interviews with the applicant will be conducted by the
architect.
3 . The Department of Code Administration, at the request of
the Program Coordinator, shall make an inspection of all
exterior improvements and file a written report with the
Program Coordinator regarding any corrections to be
included in the facade improvements .
4 . After the conceptual design and outline specifications
are completed, the applicant will meet with the Program
Coordinator, Historic Preservation Specialist and
Rehabilitation Specialist to discuss the proposed
improvements and cost estimates .
5 . Applicant may then choose one of the following courses of
action: 1) The applicant may elect to proceed with the
application based on the general concept developed by the
architect, or 2) The applicant may decide to withdraw
from the program at this time.
6 . The Elgin Heritage Commission will review the application
and provide comment. The application and accompanying
materials will be provided to the Secretary of the
Commission who will notify the Commission members of
their availability. The Commission will be allowed one
week to review the application materials . The Secretary
will pass along all comments to the Program Coordinator.
Heritage Commission comments are advisory in nature.
7 . The application materials, design drawings and Heritage
Commission comments will be reviewed by the Program
Coordinator, Historic Preservation Specialist and
Rehabilitation Specialist. The application will be
approved or disapproved after considering the following:
1) The compatibility of the proposed improvements with
the overall architectural design goals for the area;
2) The relationship between the proposed improvements and
the general character of the streetscape and other
buildings in the area; 3) The overall impact of the
improvements on the appearance and marketability of the
building; 4) The relationship between the improvements
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and the original architecture or historic significance of
the building or area; and 5) The recommendations of the
City staff and/or the architect regarding any of the
above and compliance with City codes .
8 . After the application is approved, and if no further
architectural or engineering plans are required, the
applicant may begin to solicit bids from contractors of
his or her choice. However, if more detailed drawings or
specifications are required, the applicant has the
following options : 1) The applicant may retain the
services of the architect who prepared the conceptual
drawings, or 2) The applicant may choose to hire a design
professional of his or her own choice.
9 . After the applicant has received at least two bids for
each of the approved work items, the applicant shall
notify the Program Coordinator as to the contractor
selected, the contract amount, and the anticipated date
of construction. Copies of all bids and proposals shall
be submitted promptly to the Program Coordinator. The
applicant may not serve as his/her own contractor.
10 . Upon City approval of the contractor, a Facade
Improvement Program Agreement will be drafted and will
require that all improvements must be completed within
180 days of the date of the Agreement, unless otherwise
authorized by the City; and further stipulate that
property owners shall be responsible for property
maintaining such facade improvement for a period of five
(5) years without alteration unless such changes are
submitted for review and approval by the Program
Coordinator. A copy of the signed contract for work to
be performed shall be made a part of this Agreement.
11 . The specified work items requiring building permits must
be obtained before the work begins . Questions regarding
permit requirements should be directed to the City's
Department of Code Administration. Permit fees for
facade improvements under the program will be waived.
12 . After all necessary permits have been issued, work may
proceed. All change orders must be approved by the
Program Coordinator in writing.
13 . Upon completion of the project, copies of all bids,
contracts, and invoices must be submitted to the Program
Coordinator. City staff will inspect the work for
compliance with City codes and conformance with the
design plans approved for this project.
14 . If all of the requirements listed above are satisfied, a
check will be issued from the City to the applicant for
35 percent of the total project cost. Note: Payment will
be issued only upon completion of all work items as
originally approved. Major changes or elimination of
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certain items in the approved design plan must be
approved by City staff review team.
15 . In the event that an application is not approved, the
applicant may appeal the decision to the City Council .
The applicant shall notify the Program Coordinator, in
writing, with a request to appeal within ten working days
of receiving notice of the disapproved application. The
City Council will hear the appeal and review the
arguments from both the applicant and staff . The City
Council may vote to uphold or reverse the staff decision.
Ineligible Improvements
The following improvements are ineligible under the Elgin
Facade Improvement Program:
1 . Substantial reconstruction, expansion, or major
structural repairs .
2 . Interior remodeling (except window display areas) .
3 . Purchase of furnishings, equipment, or other personal
property which does not become a part of the real estate.
4 . Improvements completed or in progress prior to
notification of approval .
Definition
FACADE The front or main face of a building or other
exterior wall which is visible from a public
street.
Correspondence
All questions and comments regarding this Program shall be
directed to:
Program Coordinator - Facade Improvement Program
City of Elgin
150 Dexter Court
Elgin, IL 60120-5555
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Facade Improvement Program
Partial Restoration Component
Purpose
The purpose of this component is to provide the participant
with an alternative to undertaking a comprehensive exterior
restoration project. This program will allow a property owner
who is not ready for a full restoration project to make
significant positive improvements to the property.
Eligible Improvements
The following are eligible activities under the partial
restoration program:
1 . Brick Cleaning.
2 . Tuck Pointing.
3 . Brick Replacement.
4 . Signage.
5 . Awning.
6 . Window Replacement (second story and above only) .
7 . Building Lighting.
8 . Painting for Peeling Paint
-- colors to be approved by City
-- a choice of recommended colors will be offered.
9 . Replacement of specific architectural features, such as
cornice, lintels, etc .
10 . Landscaping - reviewed on a case-by-case basis .
Ineligible Activities
The following activities are ineligible for grants under the
program:
1 . Roofs .
2 . First floor window and door replacement.
3 . Bulkhead replacement - unless no further storefront work
is needed.
4 . Creation of new and/or incompatible architectural
features .
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5 . Repair or replacement of architectural features
incompatible with original architecture of structure,
such as mansard roofs) .
Application
Interested persons shall complete a program application,
including a non-refundable $50. 00 application fee.
Applications shall be submitted to:
Director, New Century Partnership for Elgin
150 Dexter Court
Elgin, IL 60120
Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-serve
basis .
Project Assessment
Upon receipt of application and fee, the City will retain an
architect to review the repairs desired by the applicant
relative to the subject property. The architect will provide
a prioritized list of recommended repairs . Program staff, the
architect and applicant will meet to discuss and agree upon
repairs to be undertaken.
Grant
A reimbursement grant of thirty-five percent (35%) of the
total project cost is allowed.
Rebate will be made upon completion of the project and upon
providing City staff with copies of paid invoices and all
contractors ' waivers of lien.
Type of Assistance
A property owner may participate in the partial restoration
program on a one-time basis . However, the property owner may
participate in the comprehensive restoration program at a
later time.
Contract with City of Elgin
The applicant will enter into a contract with the City of
Elgin in order to formalize participation in the program. The
contract will set forth the terms of participation. No
activity related to the project shall commence until the
contract has been executed, unless approved by the City.
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FACADE IMPROVEMENT CHECK LIST
DATE
Applicant provided with brochure.
Application received and prioritized.
Code Enforcement inspects applicant' s property.
Authorization for architectural services .
Architect takes pictures and prepares base rendering.
Architect prepares proposed line rendering and
discusses with applicant and City representatives
and Code Enforcement.
Color rendering prepared, with cost estimate, and
approved by Program Coordinator, staff architect and
Rehabilitation Specialist.
Construction quotes received and rebate contract
signed.
Code Enforcement permits issued.
Monitor construction.
Waiver of lien received, invoice marked paid, and
payout ordered after final inspection.
Facade Improvement Program
Application and Application Instruction
INSTRUCTIONS. Any person or business wishing to participate
in the City of Elgin Facade Improvement Program should
complete the attached application form and follow the steps
presented below.
1 . APPLICATION FORM. The Facade Improvement Program
Application should be completed and submitted to:
Program Coordinator
Facade Improvement Program
City of Elgin
150 Dexter Court
Elgin, IL 60120-5555
2 . APPLICATION FEE. A fifty-dollar ($50 . 00) non-refundable
application fee shall be submitted along with the
completed application form. Checks should be made
payable to"City of Elgin - Facade Improvement Program" .
3 . After the application materials and fee are received, an
architect under contract with the City will contact the
applicant to set up a meeting to discuss the project.
The product of this meeting will be a conceptual drawing
for the structure and outline specifications for the
renovation project.
4 . If a conceptual design is agreed upon and the applicant
wishes to proceed, the application and all relevant
materials will be forwarded to the application review
team.
5 . The application will be notified of the review team' s
decision within twenty-one (21) days of submission of all
application materials, including the agreed upon
conceptual drawing and the outline application.
6 . In the event that an application is not approved, the
Applicant may appeal the decision to the City Council .
The applicant shall notify the Program Coordinator, in
writing, with a request to appeal within ten ( 10) working
days of having received notice that the application was
not approved.
IMPLEMENTATION
1 . Once an application is approved, and if no further
architectural or engineering plans are required, the
applicant may solicit bids from, at minimum, two
contractors . The applicant may not serve as his/her own
contractor. If more detailed drawings are required, the
applicant may 1) Retain the services of the architect who
prepared the conceptual drawings, or 2 ) Hire a design
professional of his/her choosing.
2 . Upon City approval of the contractor, a Facade
Improvement Agreement will be drafted and signed by both
parties .
3 . All improvements must be completed within 180 days of
signing the Agreement, unless otherwise authorized by the
City.
4 . Property or business owners shall be responsible for
maintaining the facade for five (5) years without
alteration unless approved by the Program Coordinator.
Such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
5 . Upon completion of the project, copies of all bids,
contracts and invoices must be submitted to the Program
Coordinator for review. Payment will be issued upon
completion of all work items as originally approved.
Major changes or elimination of items must be approved by
the City.
6 . The cost of work performed prior to approval of the
application is not eligible for the rebate.
Facade Improvement Program
Application Form
A non-refundable fee of $50 . 00 must accompany this
application. Checks should be made payable to "City of Elgin -
Facade Improvement Program" .
1 . Applicant
(Name)
Home Address
(Street) (City/State/Zip) (Phone)
Business Address
(Street) (City/State/Zip) (Phone)
2 . Building or establishment for which the rebate is sought.
(Street Address)
Applicant is : Owner Tenant
If tenant, what is term of lease?
3 . Total number of storefronts:
Addresses of storefronts :
Total number of stories :
Facade to be improved: Front Side Rear
4 . Proposed use of program:
Canopy/Awning Signage
Windows/Doors Exterior Lighting
Painting/Tuck Restoration of Architec-
Pointing tural Features
Brick Cleaning
Other (please specify)
5 . Statement of Understanding.
A. The applicant (undersigned) agrees to comply with
the guidelines and procedures of the Facade
Improvement Program and the conceptual design and
outline specifications as agreed to by the applicant
and the application review team.
B. The applicant understands that the applicant must
submit detailed cost documentation, copies of
building permits, bids, contracts and invoices and
contractor' s final waivers of lien upon completion
of the approved improvements .
Signature:
Applicant Signature
If the applicant is other than the owner, the following line
must be completed:
I certify that I, the owner of the property at
do authorize the applicant to apply for a rebate under the
Facade Improvement Program and undertake the approved
improvements.
Date
Owner Signature
For Office Use Only:
Date Application Received:
Application Fee Paid: Yes No.
If Yes, Check Cash
Application I .D. Number:
Rebate Approved: Date
Total Estimated Project Cost
Percent Applied for Rebate
Total Amount of Rebate
Rebate Denied: Date
Reason
Program Coordinator