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FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM GUIDELINES

PURPOSE The purpose of the Façade Improvement Program is to build a cohesive image, promote coordination with improved signage and store graphics, and compliment adjacent building façades. To qualify for assistance the project must be in compliance with City of Kennewick Façade Improvement Program Underwriting Guidelines. Starting work without approval will result in disqualification from the program and denial of requests for reimbursement. LOAN TERMS: This program will offer a matching grant not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) per storefront allocated pro rata to offset the cost of façade improvements. If funds are received, a two-year lien will be placed on the property. The property owner must provide a matching contribution of twenty-five percent (25%) (or greater) and will be responsible for all fees associated with funds granted. PROGRAM CRITIERA: -- Project must be located in the target area. -- Work must not have been started on the project prior to approved application. -- Applications will be evaluated for consistency with approved color palette by Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership’s Design Committee. The committee encourages use of color and patterns in a sophisticated, restrained application that places vibrant colors on small areas (building highlights and trim features), and uses softer, more subdued or muted colors for the main building elements. -- Applications must be accompanied by the required documentation before being reviewed by the Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership. -- Any signage or awnings paid for by this grant must remain the permanent property of the building or it may be relocated to another building within the Revitalization Area with written approval of the City’s CDBG Coordinator. -- If the applicant is a tenant of a building, tenant must have at least three (3) years left in lease agreement. ELIGIBLE USES: (ITEMS INCLUDED BUT NOT LIMITED TO) Grants will be made to eligible business owners to address a combination of the following areas of a building’s exterior front. --Cleaning and painting -- New awnings, canopies, and signs -- Gutters and downspouts -- Exterior wall repairs -- Building mounted lighting -- Entries, door and window repairs and replacements -- Removal of barriers to access for people with disabilities INELIGIBLE USES: (ITEMS INCLUDED BUT NOT LIMITED TO) -- Interior improvements -- Electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work for interior of building -- Roofing -- Inappropriate cleaning methods, repairs, replacements, or alterations --- Improvements not facing street -- Major landscape improvements, and/or plants -- Normal, routine maintenance -- Franchises

GUIDELINES CONTINUED

PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION -- Applications and guidelines for the program are available at the Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership (HDKP) office, or online at www.historickennewick.org/facade-improvement-grants. -- The applicant can apply for up to seventy-five percent (75%) of the amount of the construction project and must fund a minimum of twenty-five percent (25%) of the project cost. -- Complete application packets must include a signed application, conceptual drawings/plans, and specifications of the building which illustrate all proposed work, including any structural repair, awnings (plus sample of material), signage, a minimum of three (3) cost estimates, construction schedules, and paint colors. -- The HDKP Design Committee will consider all applications that comply with the design guidelines. -- Applicants requesting funds must sign written agreements with the City of Kennewick. The applicants will be required to abide by the design guidelines and rules regulating the use of federal grants and follow State and Federal Labor Standards as set forth by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). -- Façade Improvement Program grant closing documents executed prior to any construction activity will be recorded against the property as a silent second until the term of affordability is satisfied. -- Grants in excess of micro-purchase thresholds (currently two thousand dollars ($2,000)) will be required to adhere to the more stringent of the federal Davis Bacon and State Prevailing Wage laws. Bidding and contracting must adhere to local, state and federal regulations for procurement. For contractor Davis-Bacon wage determination information, please visit www.access.gpo.gov/davisbacon/wa.html, for state prevailing wage information visit http://www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/PrevWage. -- During the course of construction, the CDBG Coordinator and/or Building Inspector will monitor the progress of the project. -- Proposed significant changes to the originally approved work specifications must be approved in writing by HDKP and Kennewick’s CDBG Coordinator prior to any changes being made to the building façade. -- All modifications to the contract must be evaluated for cost seasonableness and a written change order fully executed by all Parties. -- Construction work must be completed by the end of the program year the funds are allocated, or a written extension requested prior to expiration of the contract. -- Grants funds will be distributed for the applicant upon proof of payment towards materials and/or services and approved progress inspections conducted by the City of Kennewick Building Department. Copies of all receipts and certified payrolls are required to be submitted with requests for reimbursement. -- Deviations from an approved plan may disqualify the applicant from this grant program. -- Non-compliance with any of the program requirements may disqualify the applicant from this grant program.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Application Process: 1. Request application packet from HDKP or download from website. 2. Applicants submit a completed application packet with detailed original work order and estimate for planned improvements. Such work order/estimate shall include: -- a. Detailed drawing or sketches of proposed work, if available or necessary. -- b. Submit two (2) photographs of entire façade of property and/or areas of work. -- c. Color and material samples for paint and awning. -- d. Minimum of three (3) quotes for materials and/or services. 3. HDKP will complete pre-approval screening and underwriting review of the application and forward pre-approved applications to the Design Committee for review. 4. Selected applicant(s) will sign grant closing documents to be secured on the property for the period of affordability. 5. Following approval, plans must be submitted through the normal municipal approval process. Contractor’s cost of preparing a bid is not reimbursable from the Façade Improvement Project. 6. Should the applicant’s final approved project exceed the scope of the original application, the applicant will have sole financial responsibility for all work in excess of the original approved project. 7. A complete copy of your organization's previous year's tax return. CDBG Funds will not be committed until the applicant demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the CDBG Coordinator, financial capacity to complete the entire program in a timely manner. Applicants must start the project within ninety (90) days stated in the Award Notification (weather permitting). Project construction must be substantially completed within one hundred seventy-five (175) days of final permit issuance. Inspections (including final inspection) must be completed for reimbursement of funds. PROJECT TIMELINE: 1. Upon receiving final approval, the CDBG Coordinator will establish the above time frame and the applicants must commence work. 2. Successful applicants must start their projects on a timely basis and make regular progress toward completion. Progress inspections and all permit inspections must be scheduled regularly and at the sole discretion of the owner or contractor. 3. The applicant may request one ninety (90)-day extension from the CDBG Coordinator. 4. If applicant does not commence and substantially complete the work within the allotted timeframe, including any extension granted, the Written Agreement shall become null, and void and the funds may be reserved for another qualified applicant. GRANT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: All grant applications and required materials must be submitted to the Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership by 5:00 PM on July 31, 2024.

GRANT CONDITIONAL AGREEMENT

I, the undersigned, have read and completely understand all the conditions of this grant as stated in the Guidelines above. I furthermore agree to abide by all the rules and regulations set forth by HUD (Grantor), state and local regulations and the Façade Improvement Program Guidelines and the City of Kennewick. I understand that if I do not comply with this agreement and commence and substantially complete the work within the allotted time frame, HDKP and the CDBG Coordinator has the right to cancel the grant and allocate the funds to another qualified applicant.

FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM APPLICATION The grant may cover up to seventy-five percent (75%) of project costs up to a maximum of twentyfive thousand dollars ($25,000). Owner/tenant is responsible for twenty-five percent (25%) of program costs and any amount in excess of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000). Tenant improvements are permitted only with letter of authorization between owner and tenant. Property owner is responsible for all permitted activities. In order to be eligible for the grant, all City and County taxes and utility obligations must be current. There must be no tax or unfavorable liens on the property as evidenced by preliminary title search. A lien will be placed on the property for a recovery period of three (3) years once work is completed. A complete application consists of this completed form and all necessary supporting documentation:

Name of Business

Type of Business

Number of Employees (including owner)

Email

UEI Number:

What is a UEI? A UEI is a government-provided number, like a tax ID number, that's used to identify businesses eligible for federal grants, awards and contracts. If you do not currently have a UEI#, write "NEED ASSISTANCE". you will need to establish A UEI# if you are selected for a Facade Improvement Grant. We have technical assistnace to support applications in establishing their UEI#.

Building To Be Improved

Building Owner

Is the Applicant and the Building Owner the Same?

A tenant may apply for this grant. If you are not the property owner, you must include a signed and notarized ”Letter of Authorization” with the property owner.

Applicant Name & Date

Owner Name (if different) & Date:

Facade Improvement Application

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