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This type of program encourages a public entity, such as the Town of Paradise, and an individual downtown commercial property owner to work together both on a design and financial basis in the restoration or renovation of a commercial building facade. Such a partnership approach will play a central part in this historic revitalization of our downtown. Beyond the physical and aesthetic downtown improvements that are the direct result of a commercial facade renovation program, this program makes good economic and business sense for property and business owners. Commercial facade renovations and building improvements, in general, help to improve property values, especially in physically and economically depressed areas. Newly renovated commercial facades and buildings tend to attract more customers because people are drawn to commercial buildings that present an appealing physical image, both on the outside and inside. Above all else, this is program based on a partnership that will benefit the community, as a whole, and play a central role in this historic revitalization of our downtown. View Business Facade photos here. Download an Application (.pdf) Eligibility Criteria: The following criteria must be met to be eligible to receive downtown commercial facade renovation grants and/or loans from the Town of Paradise: 1. Only commercial property owners whose properties are zoned CB or commercial and located within the defined downtown area in the adopted Downtown Master Plan are eligible to apply for this Program. 2. The Downtown Commercial Facade Renovation Program only applies to the renovation of existing commercial facades, and is not intended for new commercial construction. 3. In order to participate in the Program, downtown commercial property owners must agree in writing to comply with the design standards set forth in the adopted Downtown Design Guide; agree to initial design consultation services provided by the Town of Paradise; and furthermore, agree to the review and approval of their proposed facade renovation design by the Downtown Design Review Board. 4. Downtown Program participants must also agree in writing to maintain the facade in the newly renovated condition at their own cost. In the event the facade is not maintained the Town will seek reimbursement of the grant, or failing that place the value of the grant as a lien against the property. Terms of Funding Support: The Town of Paradise views this partnership program as a demonstration of financial commitment by both the public and private sectors. Due to the limited amount of funding the Town has available for this program each fiscal year, it is the intent of the Town to make available a combination of grants and loans for commercial facade renovations that provide the “biggest bang for our buck” in terms of positive results for our downtown Actual financial support by the Town of Paradise for its Downtown Commercial Facade Renovation Program shall be as follows: 1. The Town will provide a combination of an outright grant and short term, low interest loan up to a cap of $10,000 for any individual commercial facade renovation. 2. The amount of the grant shall be based on 50% of the total Town facade renovation funding approved for an individual facade renovation. 3. The amount of the principal on the low interest loan shall be based on the other 50% of the total Town facade renovation funding approved for an individual facade renovation. The low interest loan, which shall be below conventional loan rates, shall be set by the Town. 4. The Town’s funding support for an individual facade renovation, which has the Town’s participation capped at $10,000, shall never exceed 50% of the commercial property owner’s total cost of a facade renovation. Application, Review & Approval Process 1. The application, including an initial design or sketch of the intended facade renovation, shall be submitted to the Town’s Business & Housing Services Division. 2. Applications deemed as tentatively complete by staff shall be forwarded to the Town’s Design Consultant. 3. The Design Consultant shall arrange a meeting with the applicant to review the initial design for compliance with the Downtown Design Guide, and to offer his/her professional advice and counsel concerning the initial design. It shall be the obligation of the property owner/applicant to retain the services of a design professional, other than the Town’s, to assist in the development of a final design to be submitted to the Downtown Design Review Board. 4. Once the applicant has completed a final facade renovation design, the applicant shall submit the design to the Downtown Design Review Board for their review. The Board shall convene a meeting with the applicant present, and shall render a final decision as to whether the final design complies with Downtown Design Guide standards. 5. If the design is approved by the Design Board, the complete facade renovation application package, including final design, shall be forwarded to the Downtown Revitalization Committee for final review, priority ranking, and a cost and funding analysis. 6. If the facade renovation is approved by the Committee for immediate construction and funding assistance, four separate legal agreements, including a deed of trust & promissory note, between the Town and applicant shall be executed. These agreements shall govern the terms and conditions of the facade renovation, including the approved design; the property owner’s (and successive property owner’s) obligations to maintain the facade in its restored state; identification of required permits; terms and conditions of the grant fund and loan assistance including the loan’s interest rate and repayment schedule; the schedule of the Town’s phased payment of grant/loan funds to the applicant during construction; and the property owner’s obligation to provide the Town with copies of all construction receipts. 7. The applicant shall be responsible for hiring their own contractor for the facade renovation. During construction, the Town shall inspect the project to ensure compliance with applicable building code regulations and the approved design. 8. Based on funding constraints, the Committee may elect to approve a facade renovation for a later funding cycle. For more information on the Commercial Facade Renovation Program, or to apply for assistance, call Dennis Ivey at 872-5902.
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