Commercial Façade Grant Program
Program Guidelines, Eligibility and Criteria
 
Program Overview
The City of Fort Wayne created the Commercial Façade Grant Program (CFG) to help businesses transform their building’s facades. The program provides a 50% matching grant to eligible businesses, within the Economic Development Target Area (EDTA), to improve the appearance of their building and the surrounding site. By visually enhancing the exterior of buildings, businesses increase their property value, maintain their marketability, and demonstrate confidence. The CFG program works to assist those owners to promote reinvestment, strengthen Fort Wayne’s commercial activity and enhance economic vitality in the City’s heart.

Program Objectives:
• Maintain vibrancy of core commercial areas by encouraging investments that enhance the visual aesthetics of commercial properties and lead to increased property values.
• Stimulate economic development by providing incentives to increase existing business investment, ensure business sustainability and create aesthetically pleasing areas that attract new business and consumers.
• Complement other revitalization efforts to ensure the maximum leverage of resources.
• Support local businesses and encourage local entrepreneurship, to further enhance the spirit of Fort Wayne
   
Program Guidelines
Grant Amount Available:
• The CFG program provides a 50% matching grant eligible as a reimbursement. Single tenant properties are eligible to receive up to a maximum of $20,000 ($40,000+ projects) and multi- tenant properties are eligible up to $40,000 ($80,000+ projects) per grant year. If the size of the project or level of private investment is similar to a multi-tenant building, a project may be considered for the same amount of funding as a multi-tenant property.
• Each building on a parcel and each business in a multi-tenant commercial building is allowed to be a separate project and apply for an individual grant. They do not have to apply as one entity.
• A property can receive multiple awards but single-tenant buildings are limited to
$60,000 per property over five years. Multi-tenants are limited to $100,000 per site.
 
General Contractor Requirement:
• A licensed general contractor must but utilized for all projects costing over $40,000.
Legal/City Compliance:
• Applicants must be current on property taxes at the time of submission or will be disqualified.
• Applicants are responsible for obtaining all necessary local, state and/or federal permits.
• All façade improvements must be in compliance with all CFG guidelines, the local Zoning Ordinance, Sign Ordinance, Building Codes and other codes, and any other local, state and federal laws and ordinances.
• Projects that seek to improve properties with current Neighborhood Code Compliance (NCC) violations, must get NCC closure before any grant reimbursement.
• Applicants must take the project through a New Projects Meeting prior to application submission to ensure that all improvements are supported by City Codes.
 
Eligible Projects and Businesses
Eligible Applicants
• Businesses must be located within the Economic Development Target Area
(EDTA): see online map
• Buildings proposed for façade improvements must have commercial activity as their primary purpose such as retail and specialty stores, services, restaurants, bars, cultural venues, professional offices, manufacturing business/industrial use.
• Mixed use buildings are eligible as long as the ground floor is predominately used for commercial activity. Primarily residential properties, including assisted living centers, ARE NOT eligible.
• Vacant buildings are eligible as long as owners intend to reactive the building with predominately commercial use. The owner must provide proof that the property is in occupiable condition as defined by the Building Code or made occupiable via the façade grant project.
• Not-for-profits are eligible as long as they include commercial uses and services.
Exterior Building Improvements
• Architectural details
• Siding materials and Paint
• Windows and Doors
• Tuck pointing and stone work
• Exterior lighting attached to the building and associated electrical work
• Awnings
• New or renovated attached signs (excluding LED signs)
• Soffit and fascia
• Any other improvements physically attached to the building as approved by the Grants Administrator
Exterior Site Improvements
• New or renovated free standing exterior lights/light poles or signs (no LED)
• Parking lot improvements (visible from any public road within an EDTA)
• Roof repairs (visible from any public road within an EDTA)
• Decorative fencing, landscaping, decks & outdoor furniture (visible from any public road in EDTA)
• Sidewalks
• New construction as an extension of an existing façade and demolition (each limited to 25% of project cost)
• Licensed contractor and architectural design fees (max amount is $2,000)
• Permit fees associated with approved façade improvements (no price mark-up allowed)
• Others site improvements, as approved by the Grants Administrator
 
Ineligible Projects
• New construction
• Interior renovations

 • Improvements started prior to receiving a signed grant agreement with the City
• Full roof replacement
• LED signs (due to complexity in regulating and enforcing the signs, grant funds cannot be used)
• Projects located on illegally obtained or used property per the City’s Zoning Ordinance or any use not approved by the City’s Planning Commission or Board of Zoning Appeals

The businesses listed below unless established at their site prior to January 1, 2008 (must prove):
o Tobacco discount stores
o Pawn Shops
o Automotive Sales
o Check Cashing Stores
o Gun Stores
o Sexually oriented businesses
o Tattoo and/or body piercing
o Liquor stores

• Any faith-based organization whose building(s) are used for religious activities such as worship, religious instruction or proselytization
• Any site, building or use that does not meet eligibility criteria
 
The Director of Community Development may change eligible improvements if located within the Summit City Entrepreneur and Enterprise District (SEED)

Program Criteria
Evaluation Criteria: Applicants will be evaluated on the following criteria:
• Whether the project activates a vacant building or portion of a building.
• The visual prominence of the building.
• The proposed project’s ability to aesthetically transform the building.
• The impact the proposed improvements will make to the corridor.
• The degree that the improvements enhance the historic (original) features and design of the building or add appropriate character to a modern structure.
• The long-term durability and sustainability of the improvements
• The building’s level of blight and/or risk of deterioration
• Whether the business creates or enhances “local flavor” in the area.
 

 Submission Guidelines, Approval and Timeline
1. Submit Application
a. Submit an application and supporting documents to the Grants Administrator. Failure to submit mandatory documents will delay the approval/review process. Supporting documents may include but are not limited to a detailed scope, pictures, two cost estimates on the same scope of work (exception for murals only to retain artist design), proof of ownership and financial ability to complete the project*. If there is a delay in approval/review, see guideline item 3.g.
*Confirmation of the proof of financial ability is at the request and sole discretion of the Director of Community Development. If a business cannot provide proof that they have the requested funding, the Director may allow a business to move forward with the financial agreement. In which case, the funds will not be released until there is financial proof that the project, or the Director’s approved phase of the project, can be completed.
b. Applications can be submitted at any date and submitted by the owner or tenant of a business. If the applicant is not the owner of the building, the legal owner must give written consent on the application. Tenants must also include a copy of their lease terms.
2. Application Review and Approval
a. All projects receiving a financial award must comply with the Commercial Façade Design Guidelines. Changes and compliance with the Design Guidelines will be determined by the Grants Administrator. The Façade Design Committee may also make design recommendations not related to compliance with the Design Guidelines. Incorporation of these recommendations is advised, but not required, unless the financial award is based upon those improvements.
b. If suggestions are accepted by the applicant, they will be required to resubmit the scope and bids to reflect the changes.
c. After thorough review of the application and supporting documents, that include all changes, the Grant Administrator must approve the final scope and cost estimates.
3. Commercial Façade Financial Agreement
a. The approved amount will be based on the lesser of two contractor’s bids submitted by the applicant. The applicant may select the higher bid but must pay 100% of the cost difference.
b. Funds spent on the project’s improvements before the Finance Agreement is signed by both parties are not eligible for reimbursement. Architectural or general contractor fees may be an exception at the decision of the Director of Community Development.

c. The Grants Administrator may approve a project to be divided into a maximum of three (3) phases. If requested, the scope of work, bid sheet or other documentation must show which items are in each phase. Phasing allows the applicant to request/receive reimbursement after each phase is completed, invoiced and paid by the applicant.

d. The Grant Administrator must approve any scope/financial changes after the Finance Agreement is signed.

e. The Director of Community Development has the right to revoke the award if key elements of the project are deleted or violates program guidelines, the law etc.

f. If the recipient reduces the level of investment, the City may need to reduce the amount previously awarded, as it cannot be more than 50% of the project or exceed monetary limits based on occupancy.

g. If the business is not ready to proceed with a Finance Agreement due to continued planning, financial needs etc., the Director of Community Development can issue a commitment letter agreeing to hold back the funds until both the City and Applicant are in agreement with the project, funding, and other key elements.

4. Project Completion and Reimbursement

a. Projects must be completed within 12 months of the grant agreement date to qualify for reimbursement.

b. Contact the Grant Administrator after the project is completed.

c. The Grant Administrator will review the project to ensure that the scope, bid form and financial agreement is completed properly.

d. For reimbursement, the applicant must submit copies of all invoices and matching proof of payment by a cancelled check.

The Director of Community Development reserves the right to make changes/exceptions as needed.