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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Downtown Facade Grant for 409 Douglas Avenue RESOLUTION NO. 20-644 RESOLUTION APPROVING DOWNTOWN FACADE GRANT FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA WHEREAS, the Downtown Fagade Grant Program was introduced in 2000 to facilitate private improvements to Downtown retail and other commercial storefronts; and, WHEREAS, the City Council annually budgets $50,000 as matching grants for eligible projects; this Program is available to property owners within the area generally described as from 6`' Street to the railroad tracks, from Duff Avenue to Northwestern Avenue, and along Kellogg Avenue to Lincoln Way; and, WHEREAS, the Program includes up to $15,000 of dollar-for-dollar matching funds per front facade and up to $1,000 for additional architectural services; and, WHEREAS, the Program requires compliance with specified Design Guidelines, and the Program requirements include a prerequisite of a ground floor use of office or retail trade; and, WHEREAS,additionally,grant eligibility includes a requirement for proposed improvements to retain the historic facade or for the removal of non-compliant elements consistent with the guidelines or pursue eligibility under the other facade guidelines; and, WHEREAS, the Program does not allow for maintenance activities or replacement of compliant elements with new in-kind elements as eligible activities on their own, and proposed improvements are intended to have a significant positive visual impact on the building and the district overall; and, WHEREAS, the Program is designed to operate with two application cycles: the first cycle is typically in the summer, and if there are remaining funds after awards in the first round, then a second application round occurs in the winter; and, WHEREAS, the summer grant round is intended to provide funding for new projects with one grant per building; the second round is intended to fund new projects and potentially second facades for properties that have already received a grant; and, WHEREAS,the City solicited applications for this first round and received one request;the total requested grant funding is $16,000; and, WHEREAS, the application requested a grant for 409 Douglas Avenue, which was constructed in 1902; and, WHEREAS, the application proposed to make the following grant-eligible changes: - Replace the sash windows on the second story with windows that fill the space as originally designed(the current windows do not fill the opening in the facade and have infill at the top) - Add an awning - Replace the kickplate below the plate display windows (replacing plank and plywood with brick) along with the windows themselves - Replace plywood fill next to the doors with glass WHEREAS, of the proposed changes, only the second-story windows, awnings,kickplate, and storefront glass would be eligible for the grant; and, WHEREAS, the total estimated cost for 409 Douglas Avenue exceeds the cost presented; therefore,the project would be eligible for the maximum of$15,000 and$1,000 in design fees;and, WHEREAS, the applicant will need to provide cost breakdowns to ensure only eligible activities are funded with the facade grant and the applicant will need to secure an Encroachment Permits for the awning. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa, that the Downtown Facade Improvements Grant for 409 Douglas Avenue for estimated eligible costs up to $15,000 for second-story windows, an awning, a kickplate, and storefront glass, plus $1,000 in design fees, is hereby approved. ADOPTED THIS 8`' day of December, 2020. Diane R. Voss, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor Introduced by: Gartin Seconded by: Martin Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin, Junck, Martin Voting nay: None Absent: None Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 8t'day of December, 2020.