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The purpose of the Façade Improvement Program (FIP) is to stimulate private sector investment in order to reduce blight, increase the overall tax base, and encourage investment, expansion, and rehabilitation of commercial and retail buildings within areas of the City that are experiencing a lack of investment. Please review the program guidelines and information below and reach out to our Economic Development Coordinator for more information. 

SECTION 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. Purpose
   The purpose of the Facade Improvement Program (FIP) is to stimulate private sector investment in order to reduce blight, increase the overall tax base, and encourage investment, expansion and rehabilitation of commercial and retail buildings within areas of the City that are experiencing a lack of investment. 
   
   
2. Funding Amount 
   HEDRA has budgeted $50,000 for this program. Commercial properties which are in the areas identified as "Downtown" and Vermillion Street Corridors are eligible to apply. Grant amounts may range from $1,000 up to $5,000 per property. The maximum amount of any singular grant award from this program will be $5,000. For every $2.00 of private investment, HEDRA will provide $1.00 in grant funding up to the maximum grant award amount. 
   
   
3. Number of Grants
   Each applicant is eligible for one grant per calendar year. If a property was awarded a Facade Improvement Grant in the prior grant year, they are still eligible to apply, but their application will not be considered by HEDRA until July of the new grant year, pending funding availability. An applicant is defined as each individual property. Grants will be awarded on a first come first serve basis. If eligible grant requests exceed the total funding capacity, HEDRA may consider additional funding. 

SECTION 2: ELIGIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS

1. Area
   Eligibility for the Facade Improvement Prgoram shall be limited to commercial and retail properties within either of the following areas:
   1. Properties abutting or prominently viewed from Vermillion Street.
   2. Downtown properties located South of the Mississippi River, East of Eddy Street, West of Bailly Street/CP Railway and North of 6th Street E. 
2. Eligible Activities
   1. Brick replacement and repair
   2. Window repair/reconstruction
   3. Repair or replacement of awnings
   4. Exterior steps and storefronts
   5. Roof replacement on properties listed as local Heritage Preservation Sites
   6. Structural issues on properties listed as local Heritage Preservation Sites
3. Timing of Projects
   No project should commence until HEDRA has approved the application and the Heritage Preservation Commission has issued Certificates of Approval, where required. Any costs incurred prior to the approval of the application are not eligible expenditures.

SECTION 3: APPLICATION PROCEDURES

1. Preliminary Discussion 
   Prior to submission of an application, the potential applicant shall discuss with staff the proposed project and program requirements.
2. Application Format
   Applicants shall submit a FIP application package consisting of the following:
   1. Completed FIP Application form
   2. Cost estimates for work to be completed
   3. Documentation and.or Statement of Need for FIP involvement in the project
   4. Commitment Letters (equity, private funding, etc.)
3. Application Submittal 
   Complete the form below along with all required attachments. 

SECTION 4: REVIEW PROCESS

1. Staff Review
   Staff shall review the application for completeness and verification that the proposed project meets the standards and eligibility requirements of the program. Once an application is deemed complete, staff will schedule the grant application for review by HEDRA. The City Planner shall determine if review by the Hastings Preservation Commission (HPC) may be necessary based on the property's historic designation. 
2. City Compliance
   All projects must follow City codes and obtain City permits before commencement of work and disbursement of funds.
3. Formal Review
   HEDRA will meet to formally review the application with staff recommendation, as well as the HPC when concerning historically designated properties. Applicants are encouraged to attend the meeting(s) to provide additional information and/or answer any questions by Commission members. 
4. Notice of Award/Denial of Application
   If the application is approved by HEDRA, City staff will notify the applicant. The grant application shall serve as the grant agreement. 

SECTION 5. DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS TO APPROVED APPLICANTS

1. Evidence of Expenditures and Disbursement of Funds
   This is a reimbursment program. Applicants must complete all improvements, have received all City inspections required by necessary building permits, and pay for the total project cost, prior to receiving the reimbursement check from HEDRA. Applicants shall submit to HEDRA the necessary documentation including but not limited to a copy of the invoice for the grant related improvements. Applicants shall submit receipts for reimbursement within six (6) months of receiving grant approval. City staff may provide a singular two (2) month extension for work to be completed. Any additional extension shall require review and approval by HEDRA. 

SECTION 6. PROJECT AND GRANT CLOSURE REQUIREMENTS

1. Project Closeout
   The applicant will be required to provide "before" and "after" project photos to HEDRA. 

Property Information

Contact Information

Contractor Information

Project Overview

Project Description

Required Attachments

Notice of Data Practices - Tennessen Warning

The Minnesota Data Practices Act requires that we inform you of your rights about the private data we are requesting on this form. Private data is available to you, but not to the public. We are requesting this data to determine your eligibility for a permit from the City of Hastings. Providing the data may disclose information that could cause your application to be denied. You are not legally required to provide the data; however, refusing to supply the data may cause your permit not to be processed. Under M.S. § 270.72, the City of Hastings is required to provide the Minnesota Department of Revenue your MN Tax ID Number or Social Security Number. This information may be used to deny issuance, renewal or transfer of your license if you owe the Minnesota Department of Revenue delinquent taxes, penalties or interest. The Department of Revenue may supply information to the Internal Revenue Service. In addition, this data can be shared by Hastings City Staff to the State of Minnesota Driver License Section, Dakota County Auditor, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Dakota County Warrant Office. Your signature on this application indicates you understand these rights. Your residence address and telelphone number will be considered public data unless you request this information to be private and provide an alternate address and telephone number. Please sign below to indicate you have read and understand this notice. 

Agreement

By signing below, I (the applicant) certify that all information provided in this application (and its attachments) is true and correct to the best of my/our knowledge. Furthermore, I agree to provide any addition information as may be requested by the City of Hastings and the Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority (HEDRA).