Jamestown Renaissance Corporation is seeking grant applications to improve conditions of a building and/or business in the downtown core of Jamestown, NY.
Donor Name: Jamestown Renaissance Corporation
State: New York
City: Jamestown
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 11/25/2024
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
To encourage local economic growth and development by making downtown Jamestown an attractive location to live, work, play, and do business. Building & Business Improvement Grants target improvements that contribute to the overall streetscape aesthetic of the downtown business district, encourage business expansion and entrepreneurship, and aim to improve individual building image and functionality for business/building owners.
Strategies
- Strategy 1: BBIP Grant
- Building and business owners may apply for matching grants up to $25,000 for façade renovations, interior/exterior improvements to their commercial spaces, increase the number of high quality housing units in downtown, and other capital improvements that will grow their business and/or improve the streetscape/walkability/safety of downtown.
- Strategy 2: Technical Assistance Grant
- Building and business owners (as well as prospective owners) may apply for grants of up to $10,000 to study or develop plans for progressing a business or building project in Jamestown’s downtown core. Funding may cover expenses such as but not limited to: architectural drawings, engineering assessments, market research, and feasibility studies.
Eligible Expenses
- BBIP
- Repairs and renovations on commercial buildings visible to public streets, alleys, parking and pedestrian walkway areas in compliance with the Urban Design Guidelines. Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Repair and/or replacement of original building materials and deteriorated or missing decorative details that restore historic elements.
- Repair of non-original materials unable to be removed due to structural integrity of the underlying original building material.
- Design and maintenance improvements made to the front, rear, or side building elevations.
- Cleaning of exterior building surfaces
- Tuck pointing and masonry repair
- Painting
- Repair, replacement or addition of entrances, doors, display windows, transoms or second story windows.
- Removal and/or repair of existing signs and awnings. Additions of signs and awnings must be compatible to the Urban Design Guidelines.
- Other items that are viewed as necessary or complimentary to the property’s exterior renovations.
- Modifications for handicapped accessibility.
- Interior renovations that will improve commercially operated businesses
- Renovations leading to increase in number of housing units and/or quality of housing units
- Exterior LED decorative lighting (Must comply with Jamestown’s Illumination Program)
- Technical Assistance Grant
- Architectural Drawings: Creation of detailed designs and plans to facilitate the visualization and execution of proposed projects.
- Engineering Studies: Technical evaluations to ensure the structural integrity and feasibility of planned improvements.
- Feasibility Studies: Assessments to evaluate the viability and potential impact of proposed projects.
- Market Research: Analysis to gauge market demand, competition, and potential success of new ventures.
- Consulting Services: Professional advice on project planning, funding strategies, and regulatory compliance.
- Site Assessments: Evaluations of property conditions to identify necessary improvements or upgrades.
- Other: Any other expense that informs future development of a property downtown.
Who can apply?
- Building and Business owners (or a joint venture of these two parties) of taxable commercial properties located within the Urban Design Target Area, or non-government not-for-profits located in the Downtown Jamestown Historic District are eligible for this program. While business owners who do not own the property may apply, written permission from the building owner and proof of leasehold is required. Additionally, the building owner must agree to a sign a maintenance agreement.
- Individuals who do not currently own a business or building in JRC’s service area may apply for funding, but only for projects that will take place downtown. Applicants must also demonstrate efforts taken to consider downtown as their desired place of business and investment.
- Properties with outstanding tax assessments or code violations are not eligible unless the grant is primarily intended to reverse code violations. Members/stakeholders of the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation (including Board members, committee members, and staff, and their immediate family) are not eligible.
- Some properties within the target area are on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. These properties may qualify for state and federal tax credits in addition to this program.
For more information, visit JRC.
