Facade
Improvement
Program
Matching grants & design assistance for local businesses
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FRIDAY, April 8, 2011.
Alberta Main Street announces participants for the 2011 Green Façade Improvement Program. The program provides up to $5,000 in matching funds and design assistance to businesses in the Alberta Main Street program area to improve the appearance of individual building facades, signs and awnings, as well as the overall look of the district. Improvements must be to areas visible from the public way and include a green component. The goal of this program is to leverage private improvements while making revitalization efforts affordable, creative and sustainable. The program requires a one to one match from the applicant.
Alberta Main Street received applications from seven area building and business owners interested in participating in the organization’s pilot program. Requests were made for a total of $30,000 and the program budget is only $10,000. The program’s Executive Director, Sara Wittenberg commented, “The selection process was very difficult, I wish we had resources to fund all of the applications. The renovations and improvements proposed would all improve the overall look of the district.”
Selected participants will spend the next month working with Main Street Architect, Brian Emerick. Improvements will begin by June 15th and are expected to be completed by August 31st. Properties selected include:
- 1700 – 1726 NE Alberta Street; Building Owner Applicant, Portland Community Reinvestment Initiative (PCRI), Cyndi Natalello. Current commercial tenants: the Community Cycling Center, All Teased Up Hair Salon, Mimosa Studios & Earls Barbershop.
- 2734-38 & 2724 NE Alberta Street; Building Owner Applicant, Boczki Family Trust, Erzsebet Eppley. Current commercial tenants: Al Forno Ferruzza Pizzeria & Six Days Art
Alberta Main Street, one of three Portland Main Street programs, values high design standards and creativity while encouraging solutions that achieve these goals affordably so that business and property owners are benefited rather than burdened by the revitalization process.
The 2011 Facade Improvement Program is no longer accepting applications.
WHAT IS THE ALBERTA MAIN STREET FACADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM?
Subject to the availability of funding, the 2011 Alberta Main Street Façade Improvement Program will offer up to $5,000 in matching funds and approximately 20 hours of design assistance to businesses in the Alberta Main Street program area to improve the appearance of individual building facades, signs and awnings, as well as the overall look of the district. Improvements must be to areas visible from the public way and include a green component. The goal of this program is to leverage private improvements while making revitalization efforts affordable, creative and sustainable.
The Design Committee of Alberta Main Street administers the Facade Improvement Program. The Committee is made up of local business and property owners and residents, some with design expertise and others committed to improving the physical appearance of the community.
OVERALL GOALS
The goal of Alberta Main Street is to strengthen our business district, not to gentrify it or change it into a different place. Alberta Main Street encourages renovations and improvements, which create a unique and attractive image for each business while respecting the original design parameters of its facade as well as those of its neighbors. Finally, while Alberta Main Street values high design standards and creativity, it also encourages solutions which achieve these goals affordably so that business and property owners are benefited rather than burdened by the revitalization process.
WHO CAN APPLY FOR FUNDING?
Any building owner or store proprietor/tenant with lease authority or authorization from the owner can apply for funding. The project site must be located in the Alberta Main Street target area – on Alberta Street midway between NE 15th & 16th Avenues to NE 31st Avenue. Businesses and properties in the existing Urban Renewal Area are not eligible to apply. Tenants must have a minimum of two years remaining on their lease or an option to renew.
WHAT TYPES OF IMPROVEMENTS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING?
Examples of possible improvement include but are not limited to:
• Paint
• Recessing/reconfiguring entrances
• Door/window replacement or repair
• Signage (new, repairs, replacements, removal)
• Awnings
• Lighting
WHAT CONSTITUTES A GREEN COMPONENT?
Alberta Main Street is committed to fostering innovative sustainable projects. All applications must include evidence of a green component, which may include, but is not limited to:
• LED lighting and other energy efficiencies
• Rain water capture and water recycling
• Solar awnings
• Green roofs
• Alternative energy improvements
ARE THERE ANY DESIGN GUIDELINES?
Projects must conform to the Portland Zoning Code or obtain zoning relief. Projects must also meet the approval of the Alberta Main Street Design Committee.
HOW IS THE MONEY AWARDED?
This is a matching grant program, which means that the applicant pays a portion of the improvement and Alberta Main Street pays a portion. The amount of the match must be at least 1:1 — the applicant pays $1 and Alberta Main Street pays $1. Alberta Main Street will consider in-kind contributions of labor and materials toward the match, this must be clear at the time of application and documented to the specifications negotiated with Alberta Main Street.
There is a maximum grant contribution by Alberta Main Street of $5,000 per project, subject to the availability of funds. Work completed prior to letter of commitment is not eligible for funding. Grant funds are disbursed on a reimbursement basis and cannot be issued until the proposed project has been completed. Before a check is cut, applicants will need to submit proof of payment for completed work and Alberta Main Street staff must review the completed project to determine that the actual work performed was the work approved.
HOW DOES THE APPLICATION PROCESS WORK?
First, applicants complete a preliminary application. Depending on the extent, priority and visibility of the work involved, the Main Street Design Committee may allocate professional design assistance (roughly 20 hours) to applicants to help develop a full proposal. This assistance is offered without charge to the applicant.
When the preliminary application has been reviewed, qualified applicants will be asked to complete a full application, which includes architectural drawings, color samples and cost estimates. (Two bids are required). The Design Committee will review and vote on the application and recommend final approval.
2011 Program Timeline
March 1 Announce availability of funding
March 9 Informational meeting (optional): 7PM @ 2828 NE Alberta Street
March 31 Preliminary applications for assistance due by 5PM
April 8 Applicants Selected to move Forward on the Project
Apr 8 – May 6 Applicants work with architect on design & application
May 13 Full application due by 5PM
May 27 Design committee review complete
May 30 Awardees notified – At this time successful applicants will receive a letter of commitment from Alberta Main Street office for the award amount with information on any other requirements. The applicant can then proceed with necessary permitting and city review processes.
May 30 – Jun 15 Permits secured
June 15 Projects begin (not later than)
August 31 Projects completed & documentation submitted for reimbursement (not later than). Grant dollars will be paid to awardees within two weeks after submission of final report.
Funds will be released to the applicant upon completion, inspection and documentation of matching funds. If an application is denied, a new application can be submitted during the next funding round.
HOW ARE PROJECTS SELECTED FOR FUNDING?
Applications will be reviewed and selected based on their compatibility with the vision and goals of Alberta Main Street, their impact on the district and the inclusion of a green component.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A PROJECT IS SELECTED FOR FUNDING?
Work selected for a matching grant must begin not later than June 15 and must be completed by August 31, 2011, unless extended by Alberta Main Street. The applicant is responsible for obtaining all building permits and any other required permits for the work to be done. The applicant is responsible for conformance with all applicable safety standards and conditions. The applicant also agrees to maintain the property and improvement. The Alberta Main Street Program may promote an approved project including, but not limited to, displaying an Alberta Main Street sign at the site, during and after construction, and using photographs and descriptions of the project in Main Streets’ materials.
Download the Application Materials
Information & Instructions
Preliminary Application
Full Application
