HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated December 17, 2024ITEM #:15
DATE:12-17-24
DEPT:P&H
SUBJECT:FY 2024/25 FALL DOWNTOWN FACADE GRANTS
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
The Downtown Facade Grant Program was introduced in 2000 to facilitate private improvements to
downtown retail and other commercial storefronts (Attachment A - Map). City Council has modified the
program requirements multiple times within the past three years and has a fall and spring grant funding
round with different funding priorities for the fall for new front facade grants.
The City Council now annually budgets $75,000 as matching funds for eligible projects. The program
has allowed for up to $23,000 of dollar-for-dollar matching funds per front facade and up to $2,000 for
additional architectural services for standard facade grants. The program allows for the fall round an
opportunity for a Historic Rehabilitation Grant of up to $23,000. In September 2024, City Council
directed staff to prepare additional program updates for rear facades and historic building maintenance
to be available for the spring 2025 facade grant round of funding. For the 2024/25 fiscal year, the
balance of the Downtown Facade program is $179,665.
The program requires compliance with specified Design Guidelines that can be found on the Planning
Division website. The program requirements include a prerequisite of a ground floor use of office or
retail trade. 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 to
pursue eligibility under the other facade guidelines.
However, there is an allowance for historic rehabilitation of character defining features of contributing
historic resources to the Downtown Historic District. Proposed improvements are intended to have a
significant positive visual impact on the building and the overall district. If grant requests exceed the
available funding, the program criteria for front facades includes preference for facades that have not
received funding in previous rounds. Attachment B provides an overview of the intent and process for
the facade grant program, and Attachment C outlines the scoring criteria. Attachments D, E, and F are
the current applications.
GRANT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED:
The City solicited applications for the first round of FY 2023/24 funding in October 2024 after the
Council discussion of future program changes in September. Four applicants applied and three grant
requests are being considered for this first round. (One of the requests was for the replacement of
existing awnings, which is not eligible for funding. This application is not included in the materials
presented to City Council.) A project summary, location map, and project design illustrations are
attached. The total requested grant funding is $61,785.
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Address Business or Building
Name Amount Requested Total Project
218 & 220 Main Street Ames Silversmithing $17,960 $42,140
502 Burnett Avenue Great Harvest Bakery &
Cafe $20,000 $48,530
409 Douglas Avenue Vacant (Formerly Heroic
Ink)$23,825 $78,300
TOTAL $61,785 $168,970
220 Main Street:
The building at 220 Main Street is home to Ames Silversmithing. The subject structure was constructed
in 1990 with subsequent additions, including the demolition of a small building directly to the west of
the original Ames Silversmithing structure. The building is located in the National Register Historic
District but is a non-contributing resource.
In October 2023, the owners of Ames Silversmithing purchased the one-story building to the east, 218
Main Street, with the intent of expanding the jewelry business. That building at 218 had previously
been home to a boutique and, for many years before that, Hoshaw Fine Violins. After consulting with
an architect, the owners determined that expanding the business into the existing structure was not
feasible. Their intent is to demolish 218 and to add an addition with a facade that will match the
existing design and materials. The grant request is for the new building addition facade along Main
Street.
In 2004, Ames Silversmithing building received a facade grant for $16,000. In 2007, the building at 218
Main Street, then Hoshaw Fine Violins, received a facade grant for $2,140. There are no program rules
for maintaining improvements funded by past grants that prevent demolition or alteration of
improvements after the award. As a fall application, this request is for a new facade that has not
received a grant previously once the demolition of the former Hoshaw building is complete.
The property at 218 is narrower at the front than at the rear. The narrowness accommodates a staircase
that leads to the second story of 216 Main Street (Treats on a Leash is on the ground floor). The
property at 218 once contained a second story and it is possible that the staircase led to both the second
story of 216 and 218.
The current facade for 218 is unified for both the shop and the entryway to the second story. The
applicant is proposing to replace the facade of the shop with one that will match the facade of
Ames Silversmithing. The proposal is to replace the facade for the stairway with one that will
complement other Main Street facades. The parapet wall will be the same height as that of Ames
Silversmithing, and the space above the entryway will have a simple design in brick that
complements those on other parapet walls in Downtown Ames (Attachment D). The ZBA recently
approved an exception to allow the 1-story building addition.
The existing and proposed facades for Ames Silversmithing are red brick with generous display
windows. This is topped by a wood parapet wall with proportions that reflect the massing and
fenestration below.
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WORK
ELIGIBLE COST
ESTIMATES TOTAL COST ESTIMATES
Facade $20,420 $20,420
Awning $1,500 $1,500
Parapet $7,500 $7,500
Eligible General Work $2,500 $2,500
Ineligible General Work $4,220
Total Before Design Fees $31,920 $36,140
Professional Design Fees $2,000 $6,000
Total $33,920 $42,140
The City's match will be $15,960 plus an additional $2,000 for design fees for a total of $17,960.
502 Burnett Avenue:
The building at 502 Burnett Avenue is home to Great Harvest Bakery and Cafe. The building was
originally constructed as a garage (the central opening was a roll-up garage door). The building to the
south was once the location of a filling station. Historic Sanborn maps show the building not present in
1926 and existing in 1947.
The building facade is brick with plain design elements, reflecting the utilitarian purpose for which it
was constructed. The facade is largely in its original condition regarding brick materials and the
openings for windows and the doors, although the roll up door was replaced with a modern entryway
when Great Harvest opened. The only alteration to the facade is a spot on the north of the facade where
what was possibly a vent was located (this is visible in the color change on the facade today).
The applicant is requesting to modify the facade with the addition of stone, an altered roof line,
and awnings (Attachment E). This facade is considered an "other" and not a traditional Main
Street style storefront for consistency with Design Guidelines. As a non-historic facade there is no
removal of non-compliant feature for eligibility of a grant since the materials and openings
already conform to guidelines, the grant request is focused on adding contemporary design
elements as an "other" facade. The Downtown Design Guidelines for "other" facades require that at
least 50% of the facade be brick, which the proposed design will meet by retaining existing materials. It
will also include contemporary commercial design elements that are required to be applied to the whole
facade. The applicant is proposing to add stone and extend the parapet wall up to emphasize the
entrance and to allow for a logo for the restaurant. Matching awnings will extend over the
windows and entrance.
The building sits right at the property line with the public right-of-way. Approving this grant will also
require a right-of-way encroachment permit to be obtained to allow for four inches of stone to
project into the ROW. Encroachment is discouraged but has been approved in some cases for facade
improvements with the understanding that the encroachment is subject to City maintenance and
insurance policies at the risk of the property owner. The Public Works Department will need five feet of
sidewalk clear from obstruction, which will need to be taken into account with the future permit.
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WORK ELIGIBLE COST
ESTIMATES TOTAL COST ESTIMATES
Eligible General Work $3,100 $3,100
Awnings $11,500 $11,500
Stone $19,500 $19,500
Parapet $1,900 $1,900
Ineligible General Work $9,530
Total Before Design Fees $36,000 $45,530
Professional Design Fees $2,000 $3,000
Total $38,000 $48,530
The City's match will be $18,000 plus an additional $2,000 for design fees for a total of $20,000.
409 Douglas Avenue:
The building at 409 Douglas Avenue was awarded a facade grant in 2020, which has since lapsed
without the owner initiating the proposed project. The ground floor was previously home to Heroic Ink
Tattoo but has been vacant since that business moved to another location downtown. The second story
contains an apartment. Records state that the building was constructed in 1902. The building at 409 and
the adjacent building (originally the Masonic Temple, now the Octagon Center for the Arts) have a
unified facade, though these structures were built independently. Records show the Masonic Temple
was constructed in 1916.
Photographs from the 1900s show a different facade from the present one: A picture from 1928 shows
the present facade when the building housed Tilden's Grocery. The building at 409 may have changed
facades when the adjacent building was constructed. Another unique feature of the building is the wrap
of the entry around the alley corner with its two separated entrances for the retail space and second floor
apartment.
The building at 409 is a contributing property to the Ames Main Street National Register Historic
District and maintains its historic integrity of original building materials and architectural design
features. Notably, the building has original prism glass transom in place. The transom glass is
secured in place by a transparent plastic covering to protect the transom in its current condition
that needs rehabilitation.
The transom windows are original to the facade: they are leaded, prism glass windows and the
glass appears to be in good condition. Leaded glass windows do require repair over time-the lead
weakens and the glass panes begin to shift. Leaded windows were used for transoms to
accommodate the prism glass, which worked to reflect light into the interior of the store.
Maintaining these windows is considerably more expensive than replacing them, as the work to
restore them is specialized and labor intensive.
The present application is substantially the same as the previous application from 2020. The applicant
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proposes to replace the wood bulkhead under the plate glass windows with brick, in accordance with the
Design Guidelines. The plate glass windows will be replaced in conjunction. The proposal also includes
replacing the second story windows with windows that fit the openings; the present windows are too
small for the opening and are surrounded by wood to fill the gap. The applicant also proposes an
optional awning across the top of transom.
The proposed facade work is the first project staff believes could take advantage of the Council's
recent amendment to the Downtown Facade Grant Program to make restoration of historically
significant, character-defining features eligible for grant funding . In the fall round of funding, a
facade is eligible for a traditional grant (compliance with the Design Guidelines) and for an additional
grant for the restoration of historically significant, character-defining features. These windows qualify
for this restoration grant, which was created in part with these types of original transom windows
in mind. However, after discussing with staff the prospect of retaining the transom glass, the
applicant has not chosen to seek this additional grant funding.
The applicant intends to remove the transom windows and replace them with frosted/translucent glass
which is a similar treatment to other buildings that replaced filled-in transoms. A matching grant of
$23,000 is available for the facade and an additional $23,000 for the restoration. The applicant has
stated that he does not have the funds at this time to restore the transom windows, but he would like to
keep the windows and restore them when funds become available.
The National Register Historic District does not come with restrictions regarding modifications to any
structure, even those buildings that are contributing resources. Downtown is not within a local historic
district, which would likely come with greater restrictions on modifications. The facade program itself
intends to assist in restoring traditional historic downtown character, but it does not directly address
situations like this where a proposal meets design requirements but also removes substantial historic
features. The program relies on an incentive to encourage the facade grants rather than mandatory
design restrictions to enhance downtown. As such, the City cannot prevent the owner of 409 Douglas
Avenue from removing the transom windows if they are taking the actions on their own.
As an incentive program it is discretionary for Council to award grants and to determine what
conditions or scope of work the grant applies to in terms of meeting the intent of the program.
Although on rare occasions grants have been denied or conditioned based on lack of visual impact or
consistency with mandatory elements of the guidelines, there has not been an instance such as this with
a significant preservation issue that staff is aware of. Council could choose to award the grant as
request, decline to award or modify the award due to removal of the historic features, or approve
with the condition of retaining the prism glass transom and award additional historic
rehabilitation grant funds up to the maximum amount.
WORK ELIGIBLE COST
ESTIMATES TOTAL COST ESTIMATES
Materials
Second Story Windows $15,200 $15,200
Bulkhead $1,600 $1,600
Storefront Windows $7,200 $7,200
Awning $3,500 $3,500
Other $18,200
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Labor
Second Story Windows $2,400 $2,400
Bulkhead $1,600 $1,600
Storefront Windows $2,400 $2,400
Awning $1,500 $1,500
Other $12,800
Construction Management $8,250 $8,250
Ineligible Construction
Management $1,650
Total Before Design Fees $43,650 $76,300
Architectural Design Fee $2,000 $2,000
Total $45,650 $78,300
The City's match will be $21,825 plus an additional $2,000 for design fees for a total of $23,825.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve the Downtown Facade Improvement Grants as proposed by the applicants for:
a. 220 Main Street for up to $15,960 in estimated eligible costs for a new facade and $2,000
in design fees.
b. 502 Burnett Avenue for up to $18,000 in estimated eligible costs and $2,000 in design fees
with the condition of approval of obtaining an encroachment permit prior to staff's
approval of a Notice to Proceed.
c. 409 Douglas Avenue for up to $21,825 in estimated eligible costs and $2,000 in design fees
(No additional conditions)
2. Approve the Downtown Facade Improvement Grants as described in Alternative #1, but place
conditions on the 409 Douglas Avenue grant to require preservation of the transom
windows, incorporate them into the current facade improvement project, and provide an
updated scope of work and budget with an allowance for up to an additional $23,000 of an
historic rehabilitation grant, prior to receiving a Notice to Proceed from staff.
3. Modify the award amounts, conditions, or decline to award a grant to any or all of the applicants
based upon the finding that any of the proposed projects do not meet the intent of the program or
its requirements.
4. Defer action and ask staff or the applicant(s) for additional information.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The Downtown Facade Grant application solicitation has resulted in three requests for a total of
$61,785. City staff has determined that the proposed Downtown Facade Improvement projects for the
buildings at 220 Main Street and 502 Burnett Avenue comply with the requirements of the program.
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The project at 409 Douglas with its improvements can also be found consistent with program
guidelines, but the proposal also brings up the question of intent of the program regarding
character defining historic features and their preservation. The leaded, prism glass transoms at 409
Douglas Avenue present a conundrum to the City. Council recently both increased the grant award
amount and expanded eligibility to include the restoration of historically significant, character-defining
features, but at the same time did not define any specific preservation expectations within the program.
There is adequate funding available for the requests and there is there is also available funding to add a
historic rehabilitation grant to 409 Douglas. Assuming the Council finds the three proposed projects
are consistent with the design requirements and the intent of the program, it is the
recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council approve Alternative #1, as described
above.
If Council believes the Facade Program intent should emphasize historic preservation with the
financial incentives for facade grant approvals, particularly for 409 Douglas, it would approve
Alternative #2.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Attachment A - Map.pdf
Attachment B - Program Overview.pdf
Attachment C - Scoring Criteria.pdf
Attachment D - 220 Main Street.pdf
Attachment E - 502 Burnett Avenue.pdf
Attachment F - 409 Douglas Avenue.pdf
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Attachment A
Eligibility & Applicant Location Map
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Attachment B
Downtown Façade Grant Review
There are two façade grants:
1. Modifications to bring façades into compliance with the Downtown Design Guidelines.
2. Rehabilitation of historically significant, character-defining features.
Requirements for Downtown Design Guidelines Façade Grants
▪ The building must be located downtown within boundaries established by City Council.
▪ The ground floor must be Office Uses or Trade Uses as defined by the Ames zoning
ordinance.
▪ The façade design must comply with the Downtown Design Guidelines.
▪ Improvements to historic façades shall include replacing non-compliant elements with
compliant elements. Maintenance is not eligible for grant funding.
▪ Residential structures and buildings owned by the government, churches, and other religious
institutions are not eligible.
▪ No façade grant shall exceed $23,000.
▪ The Ames Planning Division shall administer the Grant Program and prepare eligibility
requirements, terms, and application forms as necessary for effective implementation.
Downtown Design Guidelines Program Logistics
The following process for review of applications for façade grants provides time to inform all
potential applicants of the opportunity, to work with applicants, applicants to prepare submittals
and for staff to review applications and report to City Council. Two grant periods will be planned
for each fiscal year.
First Grant Period
For this first grant period, preference for grant awards will be given to:
- façades that have not received any previous grant funding
- front façades
Action Steps:
▪ Staff will inform all property and business owners of grant availability, process, and deadlines.
▪ Staff will work with applicants to define the project, ensure that it meets the guidelines, and
assure that it is feasible and can be completed within the time frame.
▪ Applications will be accepted in the summer, as early as June.
▪ Staff will review and score applications and report to City Council in July or August for
awarding grants.
▪ Projects may then start in the fall and be potentially completed before the holiday shopping
season or completed the following year.
Second Grant Period
If the entire budget is not committed in the first grant period in each year, a second grant period
will begin in October for projects to be implemented the following spring/summer. While façades
on Main Street and façades for which no previous grants have been awarded will still receive first
preference in this second grant period, all downtown grant requests will be considered and
potentially approved if funds remain after all first-preference proposals are awarded.
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Requirements for Rehabilitation of Historically Significant,
Character-Defining Features
▪ The work must retain and restore the architectural feature related to the building’s historic
significance. Examples include original windows, transoms, decorative cornices. Maintenance
activities of a building are not eligible.
▪ The architectural features must relate to the front façade.
▪ The building must be a contributing structure to the National Register Ames Main Street
Historic District or otherwise an individually listed Historic Resource on the National Register.
Rehabilitation Program Logistics
Two grant periods will be planned for each fiscal year.
First Grant Period
The Rehabilitation Grant may only be applied for in conjunction with work eligible for the standard
grant. A property may be awarded a total of $46,000 for one façade ($23,000 for compliance with
Downtown Design Guidelines and $23,000 for rehabilitation of historically significant, character-
defining features). Only one Rehabilitation Grant may be approved for a property in this round.
Action Steps:
▪ Staff will inform all property and business owners of grant availability, process, and deadlines.
▪ Staff will work with applicants to define the project, ensure that it meets the guidelines, and
assure that it is feasible and can be completed within the time frame.
▪ Applications will be accepted in the summer, as early as June.
▪ Staff will review and score applications and report to City Council in late summer for awarding
grants.
▪ Projects may then start in the fall and be potentially completed before the holiday shopping
season or completed the following year.
Second Grant Period
A Rehabilitation Grant applies to historically significant, character-defining features by
themselves, and need not be in conjunction with other work. Grants can be awarded
independently for significant features, for a maximum of $23,000.
Conditions of Grant Approval
▪ Grantees must receive a notice to proceed from the City prior to starting work.
▪ Grantees must apply for a notice to proceed within 9 months of the approval of the grant.
▪ Construction must be completed within 1 year of issuance of the notice to proceed.
▪ Any required building code and/or safety improvements to a structure must be completed
before grant work proceeds or before grant funds are paid.
▪ If a grantee does not move forward with a project consistent with the Program’s Eligibility and
Terms, including the program logistics, the award will be considered forfeited.
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Attachment C
Scoring Criteria
For each category, the following criteria shall be used to award points:
VISUAL IMPACT Maximum Score 30 Points
▪ Improvements apply to more than one story on one façade
▪ Improvements apply to more than one 25-foot wide bay on one façade
▪ Improvements will create more visual significance because:
- key, highly visual elements of the building are being improved
- the building is prominently visible due to its location (E.g., it serves as a focal point from
a street, is at a prominent intersection, or is larger than other buildings around it)
FINANCIAL IMPACT Maximum Score 30 Points
▪ Matching funds exceed the minimum dollar-for-dollar match
▪ The project includes improvements being made to
- ensure public safety,
- establish or preserve the building’s structural integrity
- resist water and moisture penetration
- correct other serious safety issues
▪ The façade project is part of a larger project that improves other exterior or interior parts of
the building
▪ The project helps to make use of space that has been unoccupied or used only for storage
EXTENT OF IMPROVEMENTS Maximum Score 20 Points
The number points granted in this category shall be based upon the number of elements from the
Downtown Design Guidelines being improved. More improved elements deserve more points.
HISTORIC FAÇADES (such as Café Diem): OTHER FAÇADES (such as Wheatsfield):
▪ Display windows ▪ Quality materials
▪ Transoms ▪ Façade modulation
▪ Masonry (includes removing cover-up) ▪ Fenestration
▪ Upper floor windows ▪ Roof
▪ Parapet and cornices ▪ Awnings
▪ Awnings and canopies ▪ Building entrances
▪ Entrance
▪ Kickplate
HISTORIC DESIGN Maximum Score 20 Points
▪ Project includes historically appropriate materials and restoration techniques
▪ Project goes beyond basic rehabilitation and re-establishes a more historically accurate
appearance than other projects
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Attachment D
220 Main Street
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Attachment E
502 Burnett Avenue
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Attachment F
409 Douglas Avenue
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