HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Campustown Facade Grant Program Amendment Regarding Application Deadline RESOLUTION NO. 22-280
RESOLUTION APPROVING CAMPUSTOWN FACADE GRANT PROGRAM
AMENDMENT REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE
FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA
WHEREAS, the Campustown Facade Program was established in 2015 with the intent to
enhance the appearance of Campustown commercial buildings; and,
WHEREAS, an approved Idea Book lays out specific design focus that the City would like
to promote by building off of the existing character by focusing on five concepts: Transparent,
Social, Diverse, Identifiable, and Historic; and,
WHEREAS, the Program supports enriching the individual detail and character of each
building within the context of a pedestrian oriented commercial district; and,
WHEREAS, the Program has one round of facade grant awards per year and the grants are
for up to$15,000 of matching funds at a one-to-one ratio of applicant expense to City expense;and,
WHEREAS, each project may be awarded up to two facade grants when there are multiple
faces with a project, and the Program also includes the allowance for up to $2,000 in additional
funding for design fees when a project includes a licensed design professional; and,
WHEREAS, facades eligible for funding must be street-facing and improvements must be
permanent improvements to the facades; and,
WHEREAS, City staff solicits grant applications for this program typically in February of
each year and an invitation for grant applications is sent to all eligible property and business owners
in the facade program area and has also been publicized by Campustown Action Association and
other media outlets; and,
WHEREAS, City Council budgets $50,000 each fiscal year for the Campustown Facade
Program and staff typically sees no more than two applications submitted annually; and,
WHEREAS, in February of 2022, City Council agreed to let the application period become
a rolling application at the request of the Planning Director during review of the Planning&Housing
Work Plan; and,
WHEREAS, staff believes that by allowing a Campustown Facade Grant application to be
submitted at the convenience of the property or business owner will not be detrimental to the intent
of the program or the availability of funding; and,
WHEREAS, staff will still do an annual outreach and mail postcards to the businesses and
property owners promoting the Facade Grant Program and additional outreach will be done through
the Ames Chamber of Commerce.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa,
that the Campustown Facade Grant Program Amendment regarding the application deadline is
hereby approved.
ADOPTED THIS 24`'' day of May, 2022.
�a
Diane R. Voss, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor
Introduced by: Gartin
Seconded by: Junck
Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Gartin, Junck, Rollins
Voting nay: None Absent: Corrieri
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 24t'day of May, 2022.