The City of Houghton Downtown Development Authority is sponsoring a Façade Grant Program whereby the DDA will award several grants of up to $5,000 to owners of businesses within the DDA.
Donor Name: City of Houghton
State: Michigan
City: Houghton
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/02/2022
Size of the Grant: $5,000
Details:
These grants are intended for smaller-scale projects for buildings where participation in the State-funded Façade Grant program is not feasible; and for marginal properties to improve the overall look of the building. The grants are intended for projects to improve the visible streetside/façades people see when they are downtown.
Eligible Projects
Description of eligible projects:
- Removal of non-historic facades
- Removal of old design elements, old signs, air conditioners, or other inappropriate elements which are inconsistent with the overall historic character of the downtown.
- Masonry cleaning and repair
- Restoration of existing building wall painted-on historic advertising
- Repair/replacement/restoration of siding, windows, doors, signage, awnings, cornices, balconies, or lighting
- Painting
- Murals
- Screening of less desirable elements such as dumpsters, ducts, etc.
- Addition of awnings, permanent planters, or signage appropriate for the building
- Building modifications, elements, or equipment that would facilitate outdoor service or seating opportunities.
Overall Rules
- Must be a commercial building within the DDA district.
- The project must meet all applicable Building Codes and City Zoning Ordinances.
- All-City taxes and utility charges must be paid up-to-date.
- One grant per applicant is considered.
- One grant per property is considered.
- Lessees may apply with the written authorization of the building owner.
- No matching funds are required, though preference will be given to projects where matching funds are committed by the applicant. Applicant grant match shall be spent prior to reimbursement from grant funds. For example:
- The owner proposes a $10,000 project. Awarded a $5,000 grant (50% of the project) with it assumed the remaining $5,000 is the owner’s match. The final project cost is actually $8,000. The grant award will be adjusted to $4,000 or 50% of the actual project cost.
- The owner proposes a $10,000 project. Awarded a $5,000 grant (50% of the project) with it assumed the remaining $5,000 is the owner’s match. The final project cost is actually $11,000. The grant award of $5,000 will not be adjusted above awarded amount.
- The award is at the discretion of the city. Only plans deemed suitable will be considered.
- The grant award is disbursed on a reimbursement basis after completion of the project, inspection by the city, and presentation of the paid invoice(s).
- Changes to approved plans after grant award must be reviewed and approved by the City in order to maintain eligibility for reimbursement. This is especially important for scope changes or changes in the overall cost of your project as the amount of grant awarded is based on the applied-for scope and estimated cost.
- The City of Houghton will make available the services of an architect/designer for 1 to 2 hours to work with property owners on the overall design, etc. prior to grant application/award if desired, at no cost to the applicant.
- Painting projects will be required to work with an architect/designer on color choice/scheme, at no cost to the applicant. Paint/color scheme subject to City approval.
- Written notification of grant award from the City must be in hand prior to the work commencing to be eligible for the grant
For more information, visit Downtown FaçadeMini-Grant.
