Mayor Scott LeMay and council recently received an update on the Downtown Façade Program from Letecia McNatt, Garland’s downtown coordinator.
The program is funded through the Downtown tax increment financing (TIF) plan and is intended to promote the character of downtown through revitalization and community involvement. The objective of the program, according to McNatt, is:
“To facilitate opportunities for property owners to improve the outward appearance of their downtown locations and make them more economically viable.”
This is a pilot program that will focus on commercial properties in the designated historic district. The need for program changes, additions, etc. will be evaluated in one year.
The program type is a cost-sharing 50-50 reimbursement grant.
Property owners will follow these steps:
- Owners will meet with Downtown Development office to determine project eligibility and receive instructions on the application process. A determination will be made that the applicant understands that work must adhere to project design guidelines.
- Plan will be presented to the Downtown Design Review Committee which consists of Planning, Building Inspection, Facilities and Downtown Development staff, as well as a preservation architect.
- The city will provide written notice upon approval for the work to begin. Within 30 days, the applicant must send a request for reimbursement with project documentation. The project must pass city inspection.
- When finished project is approved, the owner is reimbursed for eligible costs.
- All improvements will be maintained by the applicant for a minimum of five years.
- Minimum project investment will be $10,000. There is no maximum.
- City and design fees are eligible costs on a reimbursement basis.
- Ineligible projects include: previously completed work; worked covered by insurance; interior work; work not directly associated with façade such as landscaping.
- Improvements are limited to exterior of property. Signs and awnings are eligible as part of other projects
Scoring criteria will include:
- Economic impact
- Character of historic district
- Historic integrity of building
- Visual interest
- Strategic considerations
- Quality of application
The City Council members indicated their intention is to stay out of the process as much as possible.