Downtown Facade Improvement Program

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The City of Mesa Downtown Façade Improvement Program, funded through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), is designed to assist property owners and tenants in making improvements to the appearance of their building frontages. Commercial or mixed-use properties within the Pedestrian Overlay Area (see map below) located between Country Club and Sirrine/Centennial from 1st Street to 1st Avenue in Downtown Mesa are eligible to apply for funding to complete façade architectural design and contingent upon the City receiving future grant funding up to $50,000 towards demolition and construction costs to implement the architectural design.

Ten (10) properties are currently participating in the program. See the Interactive Map & Photos to see preliminary designs for these properties, current images and historical photos.

Important Documents and Information

Forms for Selected Properties

Maps

Presentations

For questions regarding the program application and program details, contact:

Jeff Robbins
480-644-5249
Jeffrey.Robbins@mesaaz.gov

Frequently Asked Questions

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Expand/Contract Questions and Answers

Can I choose a design that will exceed the maximum grant amount 0f $50,000? If so, will I be required to pay for the difference?
We welcome additional improvements. This is a rare opportunity to leverage grant funding to permanently enhance the value of the property and the visibility of the business. If the property owners and/or tenant wish to do improvements in excess of the maximum grant award, then the property owner and/or tenant will be responsible for 100% of costs that exceed the maximum grant amount for the property.
Do I get to choose my design consultant and the contractor for construction?
The City of Mesa will solicit and select 3-5 design consultants for the program. Property owners and tenants will have the opportunity to meet each consultant and rank in order their preferred consultant. The City will use its best effort to match each property with their preferred consultant, however, this may not always be possible. The City will make the final decision in matching consultants with participating properties.
How much in grant funding am I eligible to receive?
Design costs will be negotiated between the design consultant and the City Construction grant awards are based on a formula. All properties accepted into the program receive $10,000 plus $400 per linear foot of façade frontage. (i.e. a property with a 25’ frontage would be eligible for $10,000 plus the linear foot amount: 25 X $400 = $10,000. Therefore, the total grant amount for this property would be $20,000.)
I am a property owner. Do I need to work with my tenant?
Yes.
I am a tenant. Do I need the property owner’s approval?
Yes. The Façade Improvement Program will result in improvements to private property facades, therefore the City cannot act without the express signed consent of the property owner. The property owner must be an active and informed participant, even if the application is submitted by a tenant.
If I apply for the design phase, do I have to re-apply for the construction phase?
At this time, only applicants accepted for the design phase are eligible to receive funding in the construction phase. There is not a re-application; however, the construction phase will require additional paperwork.
Is there a grant match requirement?
For design, No. For construction, Yes. Participants agree to provide funding match dollars equal to 15% of the total construction grant amount. Since the maximum amount any one property would be eligible to receive for construction is $50,000, the highest amount of match dollars any participant would be required to fund is $7,500. The matching dollar amount will be less than this for many participants (i.e. a $10,000 award would require a $1,500 match).
This is Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding - how much reporting and grant management am I required to do?
The City of Mesa has worked hard to minimize, and in many cases remove, the obligation of CDBG reporting from the property owner and/or tenant. Mesa’s Housing and Community Development Department will be responsible for reporting to the Office of Housing and Urban Development.
What documents do I have to submit?
Please see “Attachment B” - of the Request for Consideration to Participate for a list of all the documents required for both the design phase and the construction phase of the project.
What does the anticipated timeline look like?
February 1 - March 1: Application Period
March 20: Properties are selected
April 10: Additional information from selected properties due
April 30: CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funding for design available
May: Property owners and tenants meet the design consultants
May: City matches properties with design consultants
May: Design begins
July - August: Ad hoc committee reviews plans
August - September: Design review approval of plans
January 2018: 15% match of construction grant placed in escrow
January 2018 - April 2018: Colonnade demolition and façade construction
Will I have to pay upfront and, if so, to whom?
Design is funded 100% by a the CDBG grant, so no funding is required by the property owner or tenant. If funds are secured for the construction phase of the project, the property owner and/or tenant will be required to deposit 15% of the construction grant amount into escrow (i.e. $20,000 grant amount would require a $3,000 match in escrow).

Important Documents and Information

For questions regarding the program application and program details, contact:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose a design that will exceed the maximum grant amount 0f $50,000? If so, will I be required to pay for the difference?

Do I get to choose my design consultant and the contractor for construction?

How much in grant funding am I eligible to receive?

I am a property owner. Do I need to work with my tenant?

I am a tenant. Do I need the property owner’s approval?

If I apply for the design phase, do I have to re-apply for the construction phase?

Is there a grant match requirement?

This is Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding - how much reporting and grant management am I required to do?

What documents do I have to submit?

What does the anticipated timeline look like?

Will I have to pay upfront and, if so, to whom?