HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 4820-08-2017 A Resolution
NO. 4820-08-2017
ADOPTING AN AMENDMENT TO THE POLICY FOR THE URBAN VILLAGE
STOREFRONT/FA(�ADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (RESOLUTION NO. 4181-02-2013
AND 4204-05-2013) TO REVISE THE ELIGIBLE PROJECT BOUNDARY TO INCLUDE
PROJECTS LOCATED ALONG COMMERCIAL CORRIDORS WITHIN ONE HALF MILE
OF THE DESIGNATED URBAN VILLAGES
WHEREAS, on February 12, 2013, the City of Fort Worth City Council approved the creation of
the Urban Village Storefront/Fagade Improvement Program ("Program") and adopted a policy for the
Program ("Policy") (M&C G-17804) and adopted amendments to the policy on May 14, 2013, (M&C
G17892);
WHEREAS, the current eligible project boundary is within one of the designated Urban Villages
under the Program and within a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Eligible Area; and
WHEREAS,the Housing and Neighborhood Services Committee is in support of incorporating a
revision to the eligible project boundary to allow for expansion of the Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT WORTH, TEXAS:
1. THAT the City hereby amends the Policy for the Urban Village Storefront/Fagade Improvement
Program, attached hereto as Exhibit "A", to incorporate a revision changing the eligible project
boundary to include projects located along commercial corridors within one half mile of the
designated Urban Villages under the Program and in a CDBG Eligible Area.
ADOPTED this 1 st day of August, 2017.
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ATTEST: �OF•FRT�
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By: L CAO/* -
Ronald P. Gonzales, Assistant City Secretary
�XAS
ORT WORT
Exhibit"A"
CITY OF FORT WORTH
AMENDED POLICY FOR THE
URBAN VILLAGE STOREFRONT/FACADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
I. GENERAL PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
A. The purpose of the Urban Village Storefront/Fagade Improvement Program ("Fagade
Improvement Program") is to encourage local businesses to improve storefronts/fagades in
eligible areas, and to promote commercial revitalization and economic development. The
Fagade Improvement Program is funded with revenues generated from the City-owned parking
garage located under General Worth Square originally funded with Urban Development
Action Grant ("UDAG") funds. Revenues from the lease are deemed "Grant Revenues" under
the UDAG Grant Agreement, and can only be spent on specific uses allowed by law.
B. The City of Fort Worth ("City')may use Grant Revenues as follows:
1. for community or economic development activities eligible for assistance under Title I of
the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, 42 USC 5201 et seq., as amended;
2. for projects that are located in a Community Development Block Grant ("CDBG") eligible
area; and
3. for projects that include private investment.
II. DEFINITIONS
"Building" means, for funding purposes, a contiguous structure with shared walls, not including
firewalls.
"Eligible Improvements" means any construction or aesthetic alteration made to the side of the
Building parallel to the primary right-of-way and improvements to the interior wall of the fagade
caused as a result of improvements to the fagade, as approved by City staff through the application
process.
"Developer" means a legal entity/party that enters into the Reimbursement Agreement with the
City to receive funds from the Fagade Improvement Program.
"Facade"means the portion of the Building parallel to the primary right-of-way as determined by
City.
"Owner" means the legal owner of the property on which the Project is located.
"Project" means the City approved improvements to the Building eligible for Fagade
Improvement Program funds.
III. ELIGIBLE PROJECTS
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A. Eligible Projects. In order for a Project to be considered for funding under the Fagade
Improvement Program, it must meet the following criteria:
1. The Project must be located in
a. a CDBG eligible area and
I b. one of the following Urban Villages or located along commercial corridors within one
half mile of the designated Urban Villages under the Program:
• Six Points
• Polytechnic/Wesleyan
• Oakland Corners
• Historic Handley
• Berry/Stalcup
• Near East Side
• Evans and Rosedale
• South Main
• Hemphill/Berry
• Historic Marine
2. The use of the property must be in compliance with the City's Zoning Ordinance.
3. The Developer:
a. must invest its own funds on Eligible Improvements;
b. must submit a complete application to the City;
c. must not be delinquent in paying property taxes for any property owned by the
Developer; and
d. must not have any City liens filed against any property owned by the Developer,
including but not limited to, weed liens, demolition liens, board-up/open structure liens
and paving liens.
4. No delinquent taxes shall be owed for the property on which the Project is located.
IV. ELIGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS AND EXPENDITURES
A. Eligible Improvements.Eligible improvements are limited to the following:
1. signage attached to the facade;
2. painting;
3. siding;
4. brick/stone/masonry;
5. glass;
6. windows;
7. doors;
S. trim;
9. awnings;
10.structural improvements to facade; or
11.exterior lighting attached to the facade.
B. Ineligible Improvements:
August 1,2017 Page 2
I. exterior improvements located on the sides or rear of buildings;
2. interior improvements;
3. landscaping;
4. parking lots and/or paving;
5. sidewalks,
6. equipment;
7. permitting fees
8. architectural, survey or other professional fees; or
9. costs related to improvements not made on the fagade.
V. SELECTION PROCESS
A. Application. A complete application with the application fee of $50.00 must be submitted
along with the following attachments:
1. proof of ownership and/or occupancy such as deed/lease; If the Developer does not own
the property on which the Project is located, the Developer must provide proof satisfactory
to City that the proposed improvements are allowed and authorized by the Owner;
2. detailed explanation of proposed improvements;
3. renderings, elevations, drawings etc. for proposed improvements;
4. photographs of existing conditions; and
5. construction cost breakdown that differentiates Eligible Improvements from other
improvements if any.
B. Denied Applications.
1. Applications will be denied 30 days after submission if all required documentation is not
received by the City.
2. Applicants will have 60 days after the date of denial to resubmit applications without
paying a new application fee.
C. Design Review Committee. A Design Review Committee composed of City staff will review
the complete application to ensure Project eligibility and feasibility. The Committee will
develop guidelines and objectives for the Fagade Improvement Program. Projects will be
selected on a first come, first served basis of completed applications and will be approved
based upon designs that meet the purpose and objectives of the Fagade Improvement Program.
D. Applicants will be notified in writing of the City's decision.
E. If City staff denies the application, then Applicant may appeal the denial to the City's
Community Development Council (CDC). The CDC will make the final determination for
approval or denial of the application.
VI. REIMBURSEMENT OF ELIGIBLE FACADE IMPROVEMENTS
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A. Funding for a Project is subject to availability and will be allocated on a first come, first
approved basis. Once an application is approved, in order to participate in Fayade
Improvement Program, a Reimbursement Agreement outlining the terms and conditions of
City providing funds to the Project must be executed by the Owner. Funding for the Project
will be set aside so long as construction permits are pulled or work has commenced on the
fagade within 180 days of Project approval.
B. City shall reimburse $1.00 for every $3.00 spent by Developer on Eligible Improvements at
the completion of the Project. City shall only reimburse for eligible fagade improvements and
shall not reimburse any funds spent on improvements made to other portions of the building.
C. Each Project can receive a maximum of$30,000 per building for Eligible Improvements.
D. Funds will be paid to Developer after all improvements have been made and approved by City
and the terms of the Reimbursement Agreement have been met.
E. In order to receive funds, Developer must provide proof of expenditures for Eligible
Improvements with supporting documentation which may include:
1. itemized invoices that differentiate Eligible Improvements versus other improvements;
2. cleared checks and/or bank statements;
3. release of liens for the work performed, if any;
4. certificate of occupancy;
5. final inspection report from City; and
6. photographs of completed Eligible Improvements.
VII. REQUIREMENTS FOR APPROVED PROJECTS
A. Approvals. Prior to construction commencement, all federal, state, and/or local approvals
necessary to complete the improvements must be provided. Approvals could include:
1. City's Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission;
2. City's Zoning Commission;
3. City's Urban Design Commission;
4. City's Downtown Design Review Board;
5. City's Plan Commission;
6. City's Building Standards Commission; and
7. Permitting.
B. Project Completion. The completion date of the improvements to be constructed will be
determined on a case by case basis, and will be included in the Reimbursement Agreement. If
the Project is not completed by this date, then the Project will be ineligible for funding, but
City staff in its sole discretion may extend this date upon written request from the Developer.
August 1, 2017 Page 4
City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
COUNCIL ACTION: Approved on 8/1/2017 - Resolution No. 4820
DATE: Tuesday, August 1, 2017 REFERENCE NO.: G-19052
LOG NAME: 19FIPPOLICYAMEND
SUBJECT:
Adopt Resolution Amending the Policy for the Urban Village Storefront/Fagade Improvement Program by
Changing the Eligible Project Boundary to Include Projects Located Along Commercial Corridors Within
One Half Mile of the Designated Urban Villages and in a Community Development Block Grant Eligible
Area (COUNCIL DISTRICTS 2, 5, 8 and 9)
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached resolution amending the policy for the Urban
Village Storefront/Fagade Improvement Program to change the eligible project boundary to include
projects located along commercial corridors within one half mile of the designated Urban Villages under
the Program and in a Community Development Block Grant Eligible Area.
DISCUSSION:
On February 12, 2013, the City Council approved Resolution No. 4181-02-2013 approving the creation of
an Urban Village Storefront/Fagade Improvement Program (Program) and adopting a policy for the
Program by Mayor and Council Communication (M&C G-17804). On May 14, 2013, the City Council
approved Resolution 4204-05-2013 changing the appellate body from the Urban Design Commission to
the Community Development Council (M&C G-17892).
Staff has had inquiries into the Program from citizens with property outside the current eligible project
boundary. The Program is funded with Urban Development Action Grant (UDAG) funds, which must be
spent in a similar manner as Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds and in CDBG eligible
areas. At the June 6, 2017 Housing and Neighborhood Services Committee (HNSC) meeting, the
committee expressed interest in amending the eligible project boundary to allow applications to be located
along commercial corridors within one half mile of the designated Urban Villages in the Program and in a
CDBG eligible area. This policy amendment will allow for the expansion of the Program while maintaining
the guidelines on expending UDAG funds.
Based on approval of the HNSC, Staff is recommending adoption of the resolution amending the Program.
This M&C does not request approval of a contract with a business entity.
FISCAL INFORMATION /CERTIFICATION:
The Director of Finance certifies that this action will have no material effect on City Funds.
FUND IDENTIFIERS (FIDs):
TO
Logname: 19FIPPOLICYAMEND Page 1 of 2
Fund Department ccoun Project ctivity Budget Reference # moun
ID ID �Program
I YearI (Chartfield 2)
FROM
Fund Department ccoun Project Program ctivity Budget Reference # moun
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CERTIFICATIONS:
Submitted for City Manager's Office by: Fernando Costa (6122)
Originating Department Head: Aubrey Thagard (8187)
Additional Information Contact: Sarah Odle (7316)
Logname: 19FIPPOLICYAMEND Page 2 of 2