COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY

447 Cape Coral Parkway E., Suite 108, Cape Coral, FL 33904, (239) 549-5615, Fax (239) 549-0857

FAÇADE GRANT PROGRAM

FOR THE

DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA

FOR EXISTING BUSINESS BUILDINGS

INTRODUCTION

The Cape Coral Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Mission Statement for downtown is “The CRA will facilitate the emergence of a vibrant urban village where people of all ages can live, work, shop and be entertained.”

As an outreach to existing business buildings, technical and financial assistance is available for renovations to the exterior of existing business buildings in the Community Redevelopment Area.

The objective of the program is to implement the Community Redevelopment Plan and encourage business and property owners, through financial incentives, to improve existing business properties.  All projects must conform to the goals and objectives of the Community Redevelopment Plan and corresponding Land Development Codes and Design Guidelines.  By improving the visual appearance of downtown, the CRA becomes more attractive for recruiting new businesses and new construction, as well as opportunities for existing businesses to expand and attract new customers.

Eligibility and Funding Maximums

Existing business building owners are eligible to be reimbursed one-time for 50% of the cost of materials and professional contracted labor for completed exterior renovations in a three-year period.  Each storefront/business address eligible for a maximum of $5,000, with an overall maximum of $10,000 per property that contains multiple storefronts/businesses. For businesses that improve both public entrances from public parking lots and their street address they would be eligible for a maximum of $5,000 per improved entrance with a maximum of up to $10,000 per business.  Businesses must be a conforming use in the redevelopment area.  Grants are awarded on a first come, first completed basis for each fiscal year (Oct. 1 – September 30).  Projects that have been approved and completed in any Fiscal Year in which grant funds may have been expended with will reimbursed at the beginning of the next fiscal year.

Grant Funds will Reimburse the Applicant for the Following Improvements

·        Removal of deteriorated building materials such as plywood, metal or stucco.

·        New stucco or repair of stucco

·        Painting (all colors must be approved before starting)

·        New windows or replacements

·        New doors or replacements

·        New or replacement woodwork or architectural details

·        Masonry work

·        Signs (including the removal of old signs and the design, production and installation of new signs)

·        Awnings (including the removal of old awnings and installation of new fabric awnings)

·        Tear out required to build a new entrance into the building

·        Landscaping, planters irrigation and screening

·        Lighting of the exterior

·        Brick or textured pavement

·        Professional Design Services

·        Removal of Curb Cuts

·        Parking Lot improvements

·        Courtyard and Outside Dining design &development.

·        Barrel tile or standing seam roof repairs or installation.

INELIGIBLE EXPENDITURES

·          Improvements made prior to grant approval.

·          Interior renovations

·          Flat roof repairs

·          Refinancing existing debts.

·          Non-fixed improvements

·          Inventory / fixtures / equipment.

·          Sweat equity payments (i.e. reimbursement for applicant’s own labor in performance of renovation work or new construction).

·          Business Payroll.

·          General maintenance.

·          Work performed that is not consistent with the Design Guidelines for the CRA pursuant to the Community Redevelopment Plan and Cape Coral Land Use and Development Regulations.

 

Procedure:

Step One:      Submit the following to the Community Redevelopment Agency at 447 Cape Coral Parkway, Suite 108.  No grant will be processed without the following:

□                Completed Application form

□                Two (2), separate competitive bids from licensed contractor.  If work is undertaken by more that one contractor, then two (2) separate bids for each proposed improvement must be submitted.

□                Color chips of the paint colors to be used.

□                Photograph of the existing building (all sides to be improved)

□                If non-structural changes are proposed, a sketch or drawing to explain the changes.

□                If structural changes in the building are proposed, architectural or engineering plans must be submitted.

□                A copy of the building permit application.

□                Proof that all taxes, impact fees and assessments are not delinquent.

 

Step Two:       To insure that all work will comply with the Cape Coral Land Use and Development Regulations all proposed renovations must be approved by the Executive Director of the CRA.  Any appeals can be made to the CRA Board of Commissioners.  All work must meet City building codes and all applicants are responsible for obtaining all permits before beginning any work. Any and all unforeseen changes in the scope of work that may arise during the renovation process must be approved prior to any work initiated or completed.  Change Order must be initiated through the CRA Executive Director.  Any bid additions and/or deletions must be approved prior to initiating any work change.

Step Three:   When the work is completed:

□                Provide photographs of all completed work.

□                Submit all receipts and/or canceled checks as proof that materials and contracted improvement have been paid for.  All paid receipts must include name, address, phone number and license number of the contractor.  The CRA reserves the right to verify all costs associated with design or renovation work for which reimbursement is requested.

□                Request an inspection to insure that all work conforms to the work proposed and completed as approved.

QUALITY OF WORK

All work must be performed in a professional and workman-like manner.  Prior to the work commencing, award recipients must secure applicable Federal, State, County and City permits.  All proposed and actual work must conform to all applicable rules and regulations of all regulatory agencies and bodies of Federal, State, County and City governments.  All completed work must pass appropriate inspection(s) of applicable reviewing agency.  The CRA reserves the right to withhold reimbursement payment should the final inspection reveal that the work performed was not completed in a professional and workman-like manner and/or has not successfully passed all applicable inspections.

POST AWARD PROJECT ALTERATIONS

Grant recipients shall agree not to alter, modify, or remove the improvements made in accordance with the agreement for a period of three (3) years from date of grant award without the written permission of the CRA.  The CRA may permit such alterations, modifications, or removal of the improvements when it determines that granting permission would not undermine the goals, objectives and policies of the CRA.

POST AWARD PROJECT MAINTENANCE

In accordance with this agreement, the award recipient shall agree to maintain the improvements, including landscape materials, for a period of three (3) years from date of grant award. 

Click here for the Facade Grant Application Form