| Program contact:
Cherry Smith |
|
|
MainStreet DeLand Association |
|
| Physical Address |
Mailing Address |
|
100 N. Woodland Blvd. |
P.O. Box 3194 |
|
DeLand, FL 32720 |
DeLand, FL 32721 |
|
386-738-0649 |
|
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The purpose of the Under Utilized
Building Fund is to provide incentives to encourage new or retrofitted
facilities, and thereby eliminate vacant and/or underutilized buildings
in the Tax Increment District of the City of DeLand.
ELIGIBILITY
Businesses within the downtown tax increment district which
will provide retail, commercial, service industry, warehouse or any
other business service to the community are eligible to apply for assistance.
Priorities will be established for those applicants desiring to utilize
or expand into existing vacant buildings within the Tax Increment District
area of the City, specifically the following buildings as identified
in the 1994 Downtown Redevelopment Plan (adopted July 18, 1994): 1)
Athens Theater; 2) Landmark Hotel; 3) Fish Building; 4) Clark's Furniture;
5) Martin's Furniture; 6) Putnam Hotel; and 7) Poppa Jay's. In addition,
there are a number of other underutilized buildings within the downtown
tax increment district. Therefore, emphasis will be given to those buildings,
not exclusively limited to those named above, having remained vacant
and/or underutilized for longer periods of time, and that are zoned
for business or professional use, and provide great economic advantage
to the community in terms of tax base.
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
The MainStreet DeLand Association manages the program in
collaboration with the City Community Development Department. The program
is subject to overall policy direction, general oversight and final
approval of all grant awards by the Community Redevelopment Agency Board
based upon recommendations from MainStreet DeLand.
MainStreet DeLand receives and processes recommendations
for approval. The MainStreet Executive Director works with the Community
Development Director to ensure all applications comply with the codes
and ordinances of the City. The MainStreet DeLand Association Board
has appointed a five member committee to review applications for funding.
The Committee's recommendations are forwarded to Community Redevelopment
Agency Board for final approval.
Once an award is made, MainStreet DeLand is responsible
for preparing documentation for payment of eligible expenses. Eligible
expenses must be documented by both a detailed receipt as a cancelled
check. Once submitted by MainStreet DeLand, the Community Development
Director will ensure payment is made. As part of the award, the MainStreet
DeLand transmits a contract for signature and forwards copies to the
Community Development Director.
ELIGIBLE PROJECTS
This program is designed to offer a one time enhancement
to buildings which are presently underutilized. Funds for the Underutilized
building fund shall be allocated annually by the CRA and City Commission.
Funds shall be allocated in accordance with the following
guidelines:
A. Rehabilitation
In general the intent of the guidelines is to restrict funding to "hard"
improvements (construction related).
1. Meeting the requirements for the American Disabilities
Act shall be the first priority.
2. Meeting the requirements for the National Fire Prevention Act shall
be the second priority.
3. Meeting the requirements for the National Electrical Code shall be
the third priority.
4. Meeting any other applicable code requirements.
5. Improvement to the exterior of the building façade and landscape
shall be the fourth priority.
6. Once the aforementioned items have been accomplished, the funds may
be used for other building improvements or demolition, in total or partial,
but in no case shall funds be used for soft cost including permits,
fees or professional services.
B. Demolition
If it is determined by the Building Department of the City of DeLand,
that the property may be uneconomical to rehabilitate, then the funds
may be used for demolition. If the property is to be cleared then the
property shall be seeded and sowed with grass, irrigated and mowed until
a permanent future use is found. If the property has a fully approved
site plan and building permit, this requirement may be waived.
C. Limit on Allocation of Funds
No applicant may receive more than $30,000 in one year or $60,000 over
the entire life of the project. In no event shall the total grant award
exceed 25% of the total project costs.
D. Matching Funds
Priority consideration will be given to those projects with at least
a 50% match. Match can be in cash or in-kind contributions so long as
they can be documented.
Multi-Year Use of Funds
Those buildings considered to be underutilized by the CRA
Board may receive up to two separate grants totaling no more than
25% of the total project cost or $60,000 whichever is less.
