The purpose of the Façade Improvement Grant Program is to provide financial assistance for a portion of the costs associated with exterior building improvement projects that contribute to the visual appeal and viability of income-producing properties in downtown Belleville and our commercial business districts.
Applicant Eligibility Requirements
The Façade Improvement Grant Program is open to property owners of various commercial / mixed-use structures. Residential buildings, regardless of owner or renter occupancy, are not eligible for funding. Similarly, governmental entities, religious institutions, nonprofits, and public/quasi-public authorities are also ineligible for funding.
Construction may not begin before notification by the Village of the award. If construction begins before notification, the application will be denied, and the grant will not be awarded. Total grant funding for any owner of a single property may not exceed two (2) grants within any four (4) year period.
Grant Amounts
Grants for eligible exterior improvements may be provided up to 50% of the total project cost, at a maximum of $5,000 per project. Recipients are only eligible for a maximum of $10,000 per calendar year. The total applicant match must equal at least 75% of the grant award. The owner/tenant must document all matching funds' source(s), which may be derived from private, non-Village sources.
Eligible Costs
The following improvements to street-facing exteriors/facades, and with Village approval and meeting downtown design standards, are eligible for direct funding from the Façade Program, provided such improvements generally are not tenant-specific and are likely to benefit/serve future building occupants. The same improvements to alley-facing exterior/facades are also eligible.
- Restoration of historic elements
- Masonry repair, tuckpointing, and cleaning
- Balconies and Decks
- Doors and Entrances
- Window Repair or Replacement
- Painting
- Business Signage
- Fabric Awnings
- Lighting
- Installation and Labor Costs
- Professional Design Services
- Landscaping
Ineligible Expenses
As the Façade Program is primarily intended to maintain the historic look and feel of the existing building stock in the downtown, the following expenses, and those the Village finds to be substantially similar, are not eligible for funding under this Program:
- Roofing or roof repairs
- Tinted Windows
- Vinyl Awnings
- Electric Signs Furnishings
- Security
- Paving
- Inventory
- Operating Equipment
- New Building construction
- Land Acquisition
- Operating Expenses
Grant Performance Requirements
Within six months of grant approval, applicants must enter into a grant agreement with the Village, obtain a building permit, and commence work. Projects should be completed within twelve months from the date of approval, including final inspection and issuance of an occupancy certificate by the Village Building Inspector. Extensions to the completion period may be granted for inclement weather, or the ordering of special building materials. The applicant must request an extension from the Community Development Authority (CDA) in writing. The CDA will notify the applicant in writing of its approval or denial.
Funding-eligible improvements must be in accordance with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards of Rehabilitation for Historic Preservation (as applicable), as well as Village of Belleville ordinances Chapter 615, Zoning Code, and Chapter 218, Building Code. The applicant shall continually maintain the property in compliance with all applicable local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations and as necessary to prevent deterioration of the property and to present an attractive appearance and shall assist and actively cooperate with the Village to ensure the applicant’s contractors also comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations. The applicant also shall be subject to other Ongoing Responsibilities for property insurance and maintenance per terms of an approved grant agreement.
Program Administration
- The Applicant meets with Village staff for initial project discussion.
- Applicant submits grant application to Village, and pays the $25 application fee at submittal.
- Community Development Authority reviews application and approves/denies funding request. If approved the CDA may place conditions on the proposed project. If denied, applicant may submitted a revised application and repeat the process.
- Applicant submits building and/or sign permit with final design plans as required by Village code.
- Building Inspector reviews and approves permit.
- A “letter of agreement” is drafted by Village staff that identifies the terms of the agreement. All parties execute said letter.
- Construction/Installation begins. Applicant has six (6) months from the execution date of the agreement to begin implementation of approved improvements. Any plan changes would require approval of the CDA.
- Construction/Installation is completed within one (1) year of grant award.
- Applicant contacts Building Inspector to request project review to see if all code requirements and Common Council imposed conditions have been met. Building Inspector signature is required on the Project Close-Out form.
- Applicant provides itemized paid invoices for the project and/or proof of payment to Village staff, along with the completed Project Close-Out form. While a construction lien waiver is not required, it is recommended that the applicant consider obtaining appropriate construction lien waiver(s) from the contractor(s) for the project.
- Once Finance Director has reviewed the Project Close-Out form and paid invoices/proof of payment, the Finance Director shall reimburse the applicant.
Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis within a calendar year, subject to funding availability. All questions should be directed to the Village Administrator at: administrator [at] villageofbelleville.com (administrator[at]villageofbelleville[dot]com) or by calling (608) 424 – 3341.