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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - FY 2019/20 Campustown Facade Grant RESOLUTION NO. 19-516 RESOLUTION APPROVING FY 2019/20 CAMPUSTOWN FACADE GRANT FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA WHEREAS, in May 2019, City Council voted to open an additional round of Campustown Facade Grant applications during the summer of 2019 based on a request from a property owner within the district as typically the Campustown Facade Program only accepts one round of applications that occurs in the Spring; and, WHEREAS,the Campustown Facade Program was developed to enhance the appearance of Campustown commercial buildings, fulfilling the City Council's objective of supporting Campustown; and, WHEREAS, the goal of the program is to promote diverse building styles and increased activity and commercial use along with supporting to enrich the individual detail and character of each building within the context of a pedestrian oriented commercial district; and, WHEREAS, the grants are for up to $15,000 of matching funds at a one-to-one ratio of eligible applicant expense to City expense and each project maybe awarded up to two facade grants when there are multiple facades with a project; and, WHEREAS,the program also includes the allowance for up to$2,000 in additional funding for design fees when a project includes a licensed designed professional; and, WHEREAS,projects are scored on visual impact,financial impact,and consistency with the Idea Book concepts; and, WHEREAS, a project must have a commercial use on the ground floor,but upper floors of a building that includes a residential or commercial uses may be included in a grant request; and, facades eligible for funding must be street-facing, and improvements must be permanent improvements to the facades; and, WHEREAS, the Council budgeted $50,000 in FY 2019/20 for the Campustown Facade Program and there was also $105,020 remaining from FY 2018/19 that was rolled over to FY 2019/20 for a combined total of funds that may be awarded as part of this Grant period of$155,020; and, WHEREAS,the City solicited grant applications for the Campustown Facade Grant Program in June 2019 and two applications were received; and, WHEREAS, staff was working with one applicant,who has since decided to put the facade project on hold until further notice,and the other application for 117 Welch Avenue was delayed and the review process was stopped because work on the facade had begun; and, WHEREAS, per the Terms and Eligibility of the Campustown Facade Grant Program, starting work prior to Grant approval and a Notice to Proceed has been given to the applicant is prohibited from eligibility; and, WHEREAS,the applicant requested that staff reassess the application and move it forward for City Council review based upon work that had not yet been started; staff has reviewed the proposed application in this context and asked the applicant for updated project costs to allow for City Council to consider the Grant application; and, WHEREAS,the Grant application is for the property at 117 Welch Avenue from the current property owner Anfu Wang; and, WHEREAS, the building is currently vacant,but was recently occupied by a restaurant use (Fighting Burrito),and the property owner started demolition work and partial facade improvements; and, WHEREAS, the applicant is requesting a grant for the full amount of$15,000 in facade improvements with an additional $2,000 in design fee assistance; and, WHEREAS, the existing building at 117 Welch Avenue will remain as a brick facade with relocated and resized storefront windows and doors(the change in storefront windows and doors will comply with the minimum 50% CSC zoning glazing standard and percentage brick requirement); a new flush-seam metal panel is proposed to wrap the existing overhang of the front facade,and new commercial signage is proposed for the building; and, WHEREAS,the proposed facade changes include moving the current primary entrance door from the north to the south end of the facade,converting the existing entrance to sliding doors,and an updated storefront window arrangement;and a small expansion of the existing patio area by three to four feet with a new metal and cable railing system; and, WHEREAS, the applicant's proposed improvements are consistent with the Idea Book Concepts of transparency, social,and diverse Campustown,but result in only a slight improvement in the degree of consistency; the result of the work is a minor increase in visual significance, although it will result in a more contemporary and modern aesthetic look; and, WHEREAS, the project estimate was updated to account for the work that has been done since the application was submitted;therefore,the proposed estimated costs for the facade project have been reduced from$46,725 to $34,650; of this new project cost, staff has determined that the eligible grant costs are for the sliding specialty door, a new metal siding for the upper facade,patio railing, and external lighting; and, WHEREAS, staff has calculated eligible project costs to be $17,300 with an additional $2,000 in design fees; therefore, the applicant would be eligible for $10,650; and, WHEREAS, with the City Council's decision to award the Grant, the applicant is required to complete program requirements to proceed with the project; a Notice to Proceed will require the applicant to obtain a building permit and compliance with the City's zoning requirements before receiving grant funds,an encroachment permit for the patio and canopy,or signage will be necessary if applicable and required before staff issues a Notice to Proceed; and no work can restart until the official Notice to Proceed is granted if the applicant desires to receive any awarded grant funds;and, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa, that the Campustown Facade Grant for the project at 117 Welch Avenue,awarding up to $8,650 in grant funding for eligible features with an additional$2,000 in design fees for a total grant award of $10,650 for the overall project, are hereby approved, subject to the following conditions: submit patio and handrail details to verify the proposed patio improvements do not encroach into the proposed public sidewalk/right-of-way,approval of encroachment permits must be received for any canopy,patio or building projection,signage that may cross over the property line into the right-of- way prior to issuance of a Notice to Proceed, and work cannot restart until a Notice to Proceed is granted. ADOPTED THIS 24' day of September, 2019. Diane . Voss, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor Introduced by: Nelson Seconded by: Betcher Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin, Martin,Nelson Voting nay: None Absent: None Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 24t' day of September, 2019.