Money available for Uniontown facade face-lifts
Commercial property owners within the area overseen by the Uniontown Downtown Business District Authority are eligible for grant funding to improve the outside of their buildings.
The building facade grants of $500 to $5,000 are available to help rehabilitate or restore exterior portions of the buildings visible from the public right of way. Uniontown’s Main Street manager, Rebecca Hilton, said there is $30,000 available for the grants, all of which must be used within the next 10 months.
“We already have quite a few who expressed interest, so we’re not worried we’re not going to get rid of this money, which is what happened last time. We didn’t get enough applicants in time,” Hilton said.
Hilton said the Downtown Business District Authority received $30,000 from the state Department of Community and Economic Development in November 2007 and had three years to draw down the funds to reimburse local businesses for eligible facade projects. Hilton said $16,000 had to be returned to the state when the program ended.
Hilton said it is important for interested property owners to pick up and complete grant applications as soon as possible so the selection process can begin.
“There are people who have been asking about this for a year, since the last program closed. I’m thinking within two weeks we’re going to be bombarded,” Hilton said.
It is important, Hilton said, that property owners not begin the renovations before being approved for a grant. Work already begun is not eligible for reimbursement.
“We have to approve it, then they have to submit invoices, then we can draw down the money,” Hilton said.
Eligible projects include things such as awnings, painting, exterior cleaning, lighting and replacement of historic architectural elements. Full guidelines for the program are included with the application, though Hilton said her office will assist applicants if necessary to make sure they meet eligibility requirements.
In addition to being located within the defined downtown business district, applicants must provide a copy of their deed for proof of ownership, proof that real estate taxes are current, proof of property insurance and two copies of color photos of the facade to be rehabilitated.
Hilton said grants will be awarded on a competitive basis.
“We’re going to be looking at highest traffic volume, meaning locations seen by the most visitors to Uniontown, and the best use. It might apply to historic renovation, to bring it back to an historic look,” Hilton said.
Property owners receiving the grants must contribute at least half of the cost of the project to match the grant money and must pay all of the cost before being reimbursed, Hilton said.