(A) Purpose. The general purpose of the Residential Façade Improvement Grant Program (“Program”) shall be to:
(1) Stimulate investment, maintenance and revitalization through preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of residential buildings by offering financial and limited technical assistance for façade improvements;
(2) Maintain and expand the contribution of the National Register Historic Districts to Noblesville’s community by providing a pleasing and aesthetically acceptable district;
(3) Promote architectural appreciation through maintenance and rehabilitation of Noblesville properties within National Register Historic Districts using practices that conserve the existing building stock and encourage the maintenance of historic or distinct architectural features; and to
(4) Initiate aesthetic improvements by helping to offset the cost of rehabilitation of an existing façade or creation of a façade that is architecturally consistent within the respective historic district.
(B) Provisions.
(1) Grant Funding.
(a) Grant funds are available with a minimum and maximum matching amount and eligible and ineligible project types (please see below).
Grant Area | Minimum Grant | Maximum Grant | Eligible Projects* | Ineligible Projects* |
Residential Façade Grant — Plum Prairie Historic District ($25,000 Available) | $1,000 Project Cost (up to $750 Reimbursement) | $10,000 Project Cost (up to $7,500 Reimbursement) | Doors & Windows, Exterior Wall Finishes, Cornices and Decorative Detailing, Hardscapes, Roof and Chimney Repairs, Structural Reinforcement, Awnings, Lighting, Other | Inappropriate Materials/Treatment s, Interior Improvements, Site Improvements, Landscaping, Electrical Work, Security Systems, Personal Property, Permits and Fees |
Residential Façade Grant — All Other National Register Historic Districts ($25,000 Available) | $1,000 Project Cost (up to $500 Reimbursement) | $10,000 Project Cost (up to $5,000 Reimbursement) | Doors & Windows, Exterior Wall Finishes, Cornices and Decorative Detailing, Hardscapes, Roof and Chimney Repairs, Structural Reinforcement, Awnings, Lighting, Other | Inappropriate Materials/Treatment s, Interior Improvements, Site Improvements, Landscaping, Electrical Work, Security Systems, Personal Property, Permits and Fees |
***See Residential Façade Improvement Grant Manual for further detail. A copy of the Façade Improvement Grant Manual is available on the City's website or upon request to the City. | ||||
(2) Program Administrator. The Façade Improvement Grant Program will be administered by the Planning and Development Department. The Director of Planning and Development shall designate a person to serve as Program Administrator.
(3) Eligible homes shall be located in one of the following Historic Districts:
(a) Catherine Street Historic District.
(b) Conner Street Historic District.
(c) Plum Prairie Historic District.
(d) South 9th Street Historic District.
(4) Eligibility.
(a) Be located within a Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places;
(b) Have residential activity as the building’s primary purpose; and
(c) Not be delinquent in property taxes, city liens or fines.
(5) Guidelines.
(a) Work related to a Façade Improvement Grant cannot begin until authorized by the Program Administrator. Funds spent before grant approval do not qualify as matching funds and are not eligible for reimbursement.
(b) Funds will be allocated on a first come first serve basis according to the date of application subject to the availability of budgeted funds.
(c) Any unapproved changes to project plans will void the grant and result in nonpayment of funds. If recipient decides to change the project after approval, they must immediately contact the Program Administrator for additional project review. Funding awards cannot be increased after notification of the initial award.
(d) If the applicant is not the owner of the building, written consent from the legal owner detailing the intended improvement must be submitted with the application. No grants will be awarded to government-owned properties. Non-profit organizations are not excluded from applying for grant funds; however, priority will be given to privately-owned residential or mixed-use buildings.
(e) The applicant is required to obtain in writing two preliminary cost estimates for all eligible improvements for which funding is being requested. The bids should be itemized for each portion of the improvement project. The Program Administrator reserves the right to request additional bids at any time.
(f) After consultation with the applicant, if the applicant requests to perform the work themselves and the Program Administrator determines that the applicant is qualified to perform the approved work, the applicant will be notified. All mechanical work such as electrical, plumbing and heating must be completed by a licensed contractor. The applicant must submit an itemized written cost estimate for the work to be completed. In addition, the applicant must obtain and submit two written bids as required for all eligible improvements for which the applicant is requesting funding. Applicant labor may only account for 25% of the applicant’s required match.
(g) Grant recipient is responsible for obtaining any local and/or state permits required to do the project.
(h) All construction management shall be the responsibility of the applicant.
(i) Project costs are not to include the acquisition of real estate property.
(6) Design review.
(a) Façade Grant Review Committee.
1. The Façade Grant Review Committee will evaluate all applications via the advisory direction of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings.
2. The Review Committee shall consist of five persons who either have a residence or place of business in the city that have experience/expertise in one of the following:
A. Architecture, renovation, or construction.
B. Historic preservation/conservation.
C. Planning, urban design, land use.
D. Economic development, public policy advocacy.
E. Real estate, tourism, local heritage.
3. The members of the Review Committee will be appointed by the Mayor (three appointments) and Noblesville Common Council (two appointments) to serve individual two-year terms. The initial terms of the original five appointees will be staggered correspondingly.
4. All projects are subject to approval by the Review Committee, who may approve or deny portions of each application and accept the altered project without resubmission.
5. The Review Committee is expected to meet monthly pursuant to the availability of grant funds.
(7) Process.
(a) All potential applicants are required to meet with the Program Administrator prior to application submission.
(b) In addition to the completed Façade Improvement Grant Application (see Appendix A to Ord. 15-05-23), all applicants must include:
1. Current photographs of the property to be improved;
2. Historic photographs of the property to be improved when available;
3. Written description of current condition of the building including any significant maintenance issues;
4. Detailed project plans and specifications, including a written description of improvements to be made indicating project materials, finishes and colors to be used;
5. Samples of all materials and surface applications to be used in rehabilitation (i.e., paint, awing color/material, and any other finishes or treatments).
6. Copies of receipts or other documentation showing personal property, business property, and real estate taxes paid in full.
7. Bid/Estimate Summary Sheet (see Appendix B to Ord. 15-05-23) and two preliminary cost estimates/bids in writing by contractors of construction, itemized for each portion of the project.
(c) When a project is approved the grant recipient must sign a Façade Improvement Agreement (see Appendix C) to verify the approved scope of work and reimbursement amount.
(d) Grant recipient must also sign a Maintenance Agreement (see Appendix D to Ord. 15-05-23) consenting to maintain the improved property for two years from the date he or she receives grant funding.
(e) Upon notification of receipt of the grant, each building owner is required to display a sign, provided by the city, stating the project is partially funded by a grant from the city’s Façade Improvement Grant Program. This sign shall be displayed in a prominent location on or near the front façade of the project building during the duration of the construction and for one month after project completion at which time the sign shall be returned to the Program Administrator. Failure to return the sign will result in deduction of cost of the sign from the reimbursement amount.
(f) All façade improvements must be started within 60 days of project approval.
(g) All façade improvements must be completed within 12 months of project approval, depending upon the project/grant size. A six month extension may be granted with demonstrated hardship.
(h) All façade improvements must be inspected by the Program Administrator and certified building inspectors to verify work has been completed according to the Façade Improvement Agreement.
(i) “After” photos and paid invoices itemizing all eligible costs are submitted to the program.
(j) After all work has been completed and documentation reviewed, funds will be disbursed. Funds may be disbursed in phases dependent upon project cost and funding circumstances. These factors will be analyzed and administered on a case-by-case basis and incorporated into the Façade Improvement Agreement.
(8) (a) There is established the Noblesville Residential Façade Improvement Grant Fund as a sub fund of the Community & Economic Development Programs and Projects Operational Funds.
(b) The Noblesville Residential Façade Improvement Grant Fund shall be a established as part of the City of Noblesville Public Purpose Grant Funding subject to approval by the Noblesville Common Council.
(9) All grants are subject to availability of funds within the Grant Fund. The Program Administrator shall maintain records of the existing balances and future appropriations into the Grant Fund.
(C) Residential Façade Improvement Grant Manual. The Residential Façade Improvement Grant Manual, which is attached to Ord. 15-05-23 as Exhibit A, is hereby adopted and repeals and replaces any prior manual regarding the city’s Residential Improvement Grant Program. The Façade Improvement Grant Manual can be amended by resolution.
(D) Other documents. The Residential Façade Improvement Grant Program shall be administered through the use of any and all necessary documents including, but not limited to, agreements, liens, lien waivers, or any other documents necessary to achieve the ends of the Program. The city shall take all reasonable steps to ensure the façade work that is approved for funding is completed and that the city's Façade Grant Funds are used only to complete such projects.
(Ord. 15-05-23, passed 6-27-23)