MONROE - Downtown building owners can look forward to getting some help to defray the cost of improving the look of their storefronts.
The Monroe Main Street Board of Directors Monday night passed a final version of their facade program, with two more restrictions added.
Building owners may apply for reimbursements of up to 50 percent of $20,000 of improvement expenses. Larger buildings may possibly qualify for up to another 25 percent of the next $40,000, with a maximum of $20,000 in grant money per project.
The Facade Grant Program is designed to help downtown building owners and business owners improve the look of their storefronts that face public streets, alleys or parking areas.
Buildings allowed to use the grant program must lie within the downtown Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) #7 district, because the money for the project is coming out of that TIF fund.
TIF District #7 generally extends two to three blocks from the Courthouse Square, and lies roughly between 13th and 20th avenues and between 8th and 14th streets.
According to Monroe Main Street Director Barb Nelson, the money for the facade program is either in the city treasury now or is coming soon. City Administrator Mark Vahlsing told the board last November the TIF #7 Fund held about $800,000, which was enough money to help fund multiple projects.
The board also set a time limit of one year to start a funded project after receiving a grant. This time limit is in line with the city building permits. Upon completion and final inspection of the project, expenses can be submitted for reimbursement.
An application for a facade grant must be filled out and approved before applying for a building permit.
The grant application must meet guidelines set by the Historic Preservation Commission. Applications must be turned into the Monroe Main Street office before the second Tuesday of each month. The commission will review and approve applications at their meetings the third Tuesday of each month.
Forms can be picked up from the Monroe Main Street office in Wisconsin Community Bank or from the city building inspector office at City Hall to start the process.
The form will soon be available also on the Monroe Main Street link at www.cityofmonroe.org.
The Monroe Main Street Board of Directors Monday night passed a final version of their facade program, with two more restrictions added.
Building owners may apply for reimbursements of up to 50 percent of $20,000 of improvement expenses. Larger buildings may possibly qualify for up to another 25 percent of the next $40,000, with a maximum of $20,000 in grant money per project.
The Facade Grant Program is designed to help downtown building owners and business owners improve the look of their storefronts that face public streets, alleys or parking areas.
Buildings allowed to use the grant program must lie within the downtown Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) #7 district, because the money for the project is coming out of that TIF fund.
TIF District #7 generally extends two to three blocks from the Courthouse Square, and lies roughly between 13th and 20th avenues and between 8th and 14th streets.
According to Monroe Main Street Director Barb Nelson, the money for the facade program is either in the city treasury now or is coming soon. City Administrator Mark Vahlsing told the board last November the TIF #7 Fund held about $800,000, which was enough money to help fund multiple projects.
The board also set a time limit of one year to start a funded project after receiving a grant. This time limit is in line with the city building permits. Upon completion and final inspection of the project, expenses can be submitted for reimbursement.
An application for a facade grant must be filled out and approved before applying for a building permit.
The grant application must meet guidelines set by the Historic Preservation Commission. Applications must be turned into the Monroe Main Street office before the second Tuesday of each month. The commission will review and approve applications at their meetings the third Tuesday of each month.
Forms can be picked up from the Monroe Main Street office in Wisconsin Community Bank or from the city building inspector office at City Hall to start the process.
The form will soon be available also on the Monroe Main Street link at www.cityofmonroe.org.