Downtown Topeka Redevelopment Incentive Grant Program Description of the Application Process

Administered by Downtown Topeka, Inc.

(for and on behalf of the City of Topeka)

Introduction

The Downtown Topeka Redevelopment Incentive Grant Program is a financial incentive that is designed to encourage residential and commercial improvements of buildings for future use in the Capital City Business Improvement District. Grants are awarded as reimbursement for actual monies spent up to the limits provided below.  Grant applications will be considered on a first come, first serve basis according to the date and time of application until funds are exhausted.  The amount of funds available may change during the duration of this program. Funding for this program is provided by the City of Topeka and administered by Downtown Topeka, Inc.  Applications will be reviewed by the Downtown Topeka Redevelopment Grant Committee (Grant Committee).  The Grant Committee consists of members appointed by Downtown Topeka, Inc. and by the Downtown Topeka Business Improvement District Advisory Board.

Eligible Applicants

Any person who owns or leases real property located in the Program Boundaries described below is eligible to apply for grants to improve real estate (the Project) under Grant Program.  Such person or persons (including tenants and owners of real estate) hereafter will be denoted as Applicant.  However, if the Applicant does not have an ownership interest in the real property other than that of a tenant, then the owner of the property must join in the application and executive all documents required here for grant approval. 

Guidelines and Limitations

For residential units, grants will be limited to 25% of the Project costs up to a maximum of $10,000 for each residential unit.  Further, no more than three grants for residential units will be allowed for each individual building project or address. The Grant Committee reserves the right to determine if the Project is subject to this limitation.  For commercial project, grants will be limited to 25% of the Project costs up to a maximum of $50,000 per project or address. The Grant Committee reserves the right to determine if the Project is subject to this limitation. For Façade improvements, up to $5000 will be awarded for 25’ fronts and $10,000 for 50’ fronts. The Grant Committee reserves the right to determine if the Project is subject to this limitation.

The Grant Committee, in its discretion, may allow the funding of certain building improvements and may disallow certain building improvements submitted in an application depending on it’s evaluation of the condition of the property and the effect of the proposed improvements on the surrounding area.

Generally, applications for grants must be submitted and approved before the Applicant commences work on the Project. However, the Grant Committee may approve grant funding for a part or all of an ongoing project provided the application is submitted at least 30 days before the Project is completed.

This Grant Program will be administered as a reimbursement program unless the Grant Committee approves a different procedure.  Generally, grant payments will be made upon receipt from the Applicant of an application for payment itemizing the improvements for which reimbursement is requested.

An Applicant whose Project includes a commercial business and who have received grants must remain in business at the property where grant money was invested for a minimum period of three years in order to complete the Applicant’s eligibility.  An Applicant whose Project includes a residential living unit must make every reasonable effort to rent the unit, and until doing so, must maintain the unit in good, tenantable condition and available for occupancy at reasonable rental rates during this 3-year period.  If an Applicant fails to comply with this 3-year requirement, the Applicant will be required to reimburse the City of Topeka for the full amount of all grants received for the Project.

This program is not intended to award grants for maintenance of existing businesses unless specifically approved by the Grant Committee.

Program Boundaries

The Grant Program is offered for redevelopment projects within the Capital City Business Improvement District (BID), which is bound by the intersection of Southwest 12^th Street and the alley between Topeka Boulevard and Tyler Street, thence northerly in a meander along the alley between Topeka Boulevard and Tyler Street to its intersection with Southwest 2^nd Street, thence easterly along Southwest 2^nd Street to its intersection with South Kansas Avenue, thence northerly along South Kansas Avenue and North Kansas Avenue to its intersection with the Kansas River, thence easterly in a meander along the river to its intersection with Adams Street extended, thence southerly along Adams Street to its intersection with the Missouri Pacific Railroad right-of-way, thence southwesterly to its intersection with Southeast 13^th Street, thence westerly in a meander along Southeast 13^th Street and Southwest 13^th Street to its intersection with Southwest Jackson Street, thence northerly along Southwest Jackson Street to its intersection with Southwest 12^th Street, thence westerly along Southwest 12^th to the point of beginning.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

·       To be eligible for the Grant Program, the building renovations and site improvements must be permanent in nature.

·       The Grant Committee will generally not approve projects for routine on-going building maintenance (including roof repairs) to buildings, which contain operating business operations and those, which are fully occupied.  However, the Grant Committee will consider applications for façade repair or replacement in buildings, which either contain on-going businesses or otherwise are occupied.  In no event will the Grant Committee approve grants for personal property, furniture, trade fixtures or equipment such as kitchen equipment, and the Grant Committee will have the discretion to determine if certain fixtures and trade fixtures are considered eligible for grant funding.

·       Other items may be allowed at the discretion of the Grant Committee.

·       No application will be approved and no Applicant will be eligible to receive grant funds unless all Shawnee County real estate, personal property or Business Improvement District taxes associated with the property to be improved are current as of the date the grant payments are made, and the Applicant has no other outstanding obligations to the City of Topeka.

            

                 

Other Requirements:

·       Generally, applications must be submitted before work on the Project is started. The Grant Committee will have the discretion to review an application and award a grant after construction has begun, provided the application is submitted no later than 30 days before the end of construction.

·       Applicants whose Project includes a commercial business and who have received grants must remain in business at the property where grant money was invested for a minimum period of three years in order to complete the Applicant’s eligibility.  Applicants whose Project includes a residential living unit must make every reasonable effort to rent the unit, and until doing so, must maintain the unit in good, tenantable condition and available for occupancy at reasonable rental rates during this 3-year period.  If an Applicant fails to comply with this 3-year requirement, the Applicant will be required to reimburse the City of Topeka for the full amount of all grants received for the Project.

·       An Applicant  who is awarded a grant from this program will  have 30 days from the date the grant is awarded to agree to the terms and conditions of the program, demonstrate his or her financial capability to complete the project and sign a Grant Participation Contract.  This deadline may be extended by the Grant Committee upon written request of the Applicant.

·       If a business or building owner agrees to accept the incentive grant, the Applicant is required to demonstrate measurable progress toward completion of the renovation within 30 days from the date of the Grant Participation Contract is fully executed by all parties.  If no significant progress of the renovation can be demonstrated by the 90^th day following the date of full execution of this contract, the grant may be revoked, unless suitable arrangements have been made and approved by the Grant Committee.

·       Applicants must provide proof that all contractors retained to work on the project have appropriate licenses and insurance including general liability and workers compensation insurance.

·       Grant applicant must sign and comply with the terms of the ADA Compliance Certification (see attached sheet).

·       Any departure from the criteria set forth in this Grant Program description must be approved by the Grant Committee and ratified by the Downtown Topeka, Inc. Executive Committee. 

All qualified applicants shall receive consideration for funding without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability or national origin.

The funding is furnished in whole or in part by the City.

No monies appropriated may be assigned by an applicant or used for any purpose contrary to that set forth in the application.