The DRP program objective is to provide infrastructure improvements to address the conditions that contribute to the deterioration in an area designated as slum or blighted in the applicant community’s downtown or main street area.
Donor Name: Texas Department of Agriculture
State: Texas
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/03/2023
Size of the Grant: $250,000 – $500,000
Details:
National Program Objective (NPO)
For the Downtown Revitalization Fund, a community must meet the Elimination of Slum and/or Blight Conditions NPO. Proposed activities must address the NPO of eliminating slum or blight. The requested assistance must be for public infrastructure improvements which will address one or more of the conditions that contributed to the deterioration of an area designated as slum or blighted in the downtown or main street area of the community. To qualify under this objective, the project area must:
- be officially designated by the applicant through passed/adopted city council resolution
- meet a definition of a slum, blighted, deteriorated, or deteriorating area under State or local law; and
- exhibit physical signs of blight or decay.
The documentation required to show that this objective will be met must include a designation of the boundaries of the project area, a description of the conditions which qualified it as slum or blighted at the time of its designation, and the way in which each activity addresses one or more of the conditions that qualified the area as slum or blighted. The official designation of an area as slum or blighted should be within 5 years of the application deadline. An area within a municipality may be considered as slum or blighted if the area is detrimental to the public health, safety, morals, and welfare of the municipality because the area:
- Has a predominance of buildings or other improvements that are dilapidated, deteriorated, or obsolete due to age or other reasons;
- Is prone to high population densities and overcrowding due to inadequate provision for open space;
- Is composed of open land that, because of its location within municipal limits, is necessary for sound community growth through replatting, planning, and development for predominantly residential uses; or
- Has conditions that exist which:
- Endanger life or property by fire or other causes; or
- Are conducive to the ill health of the residents, disease transmission, abnormally high rates of infant mortality, abnormally high rates of juvenile delinquency and crime, or disorderly development because of inadequate or improper platting for adequate residential development of lots, streets, and public utilities.
Funding Information
- This represents the minimum and maximum amount that may be requested/awarded for a project. These amounts apply to any project funded under the Downtown Revitalization Program.
- Minimum Amount: $250,000
- Maximum Amount: $500,000
- The program can fund only the actual, allowable, and reasonable costs of the proposed project, and may not exceed these amounts. All projects awarded under the TxCDBG program are subject to final agreement between TDA and the applicant regarding the final award amount, but at no time will the award exceed the amount originally requested in the application. Grant funds may be used for the following costs in support of eligible TxCDBG program activities up to the maximum amount below – if actual cost exceeds this amount, matching funds will be assigned to these costs:
- General Administration – up to 16% of funds requested for construction and acquisition activities or $55,000, whichever is less.
- Engineering Services – up to 25% of funds requested for construction and acquisition activities or $75,000, whichever is less.
Eligible Activities
Eligible Activities TxCDBG monies are only available for public infrastructure improvements or activities explicitly needed to eliminate slum and blight conditions in the downtown or main street area. For all proposed uses, requested funds may not exceed the minimum necessary to meet the needs of the area. Reference TxCDBG Guide to National Program Objective for detailed guidance on eligible activities. Funds may be provided for the following activities IF they address the existing blighted conditions:
- Sidewalks and lighting;
- Activities required to eliminate architectural barriers for the disabled;
- Water and/or sewer lines;
- Road construction/rehabilitation to include curb and gutter and related drainage;
- Natural gas lines and related items;
- Electric power lines and transformers;
- Utilities including natural gas and electric;
- High-speed internet infrastructure with prior approval from TDA;
- Grant administration – up to 16% of TxCDBG funds requested for construction and acquisition activities or $45,000, whichever is less;
- Engineering services– up to 25% of TxCDBG funds requested for construction and acquisition activities or $65,000, whichever is less; or
- Demolition and clearance activity of non-residential structures.
Eligible Downtown Revitalization Applicants
Eligible applicants must be an incorporated municipality. All proposed infrastructure improvements must be located on public property within the designated downtown district or Main Street area. Typically, a downtown district will meet the following criteria:
- The city’s historic area of commerce or economic center of the community;
- The area around the courthouse or city square, if the improvements will primarily serve non-governmental buildings; and/or
- The primary business or retail district for the community that does not include single-family dwellings. TDA recommends including a map that identifies the businesses served by the proposed improvements.
For more information, visit Texas Department of Agriculture.
