Downtown Façade Grant Program
Guidelines
Program Intent: to maintain original historic facades or to restore altered facades to their original or appropriate historic character in the historic Mason City downtown core.
Project Boundaries: Downtown Historic District properties located within the Community Growth TIF District (see map attached).
Project Activities: Projects must include historically appropriate repair and rehabilitation of existing original building façade or the restoration and rebuilding of an historically appropriate façade that has been altered or removed over time. As part of overall façade improvement, new signage may also qualify as a project expense. Architectural or engineering services are eligible expenses.
Roofs, sidewalks, parking lots and landscaping are not considered eligible project expenses for this program.
Amount of Grant: 2:1 (private:public) matching grant not to exceed twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) to qualifying projects based on total project costs. (Example: $36,000 in total project costs would require $24,000 in private contribution matched by $12,000 façade grant; $60,000 or greater project would receive the maximum $20,000 façade grant.)
Conditions: Proposed projects:
1. Must be reviewed and approved by the Historic Preservation Commission;
2. Must comply with all applicable City codes and ordinances (downtown design standards); and
3. Must correct any existing code deficiencies within the scope of the project.
4. Any grant proceeds shall be disbursed on completion of work, documentation of costs and an inspection of the completed project at a rate of $1.00 for each $3.00 of costs incurred.
5. Deviation from an approved project plan may disqualify the project.
6. Applicant will not be reimbursed for personal labor costs or labor costs of family members, nor can these costs be counted toward total project costs.
7. Applicant must own the building, not be in arrears in property taxes nor in any way in default or delinquent as regards the property.
8. Property owner agrees not to apply for Urban Revitalization Program Tax Abatement for amount of façade grant received.
Approval Process: All grants awards must be approved by the City Council.
For more information, or submit application to:
Growth Development & Planning Department
City Hall - 3rd Floor
10 First Street N.W.
Mason City, Iowa 50401
641.421.3626