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Home My WebLink About102-Attachment A: Village Facade Improvement Full Program Description.pdf City of Saratoga Village Façade Improvement Program Program Description: In 2004, the City of Saratoga began the Village Façade Improvement Program to revitalize the downtown area and encourage private investment in the Village Commercial District along Big Basin Way. Property owners or business owners (with property owner consent) can receive up to a 50% reimbursement of total project costs for façade improvements. The maximum award for an approved façade improvement to a storefront visible from Big Basin Way is $5,000. For example, a program participant would receive $3,000 for a project that totaled $6,000. However, $5,000 is the most a program participant can be reimbursed for a project that costs $10,000 or more. Exterior improvements to storefronts in the Village Commercial District that are visible from Big Basin Way are eligible for the program. Projects range from new paint, installation of an awning, to landscaping. To receive grant money, participants must submit an application and project proposal to the City. If the project meets necessary requirements and funding is available, then the project will be approved by the City Council Village Ad Hoc Committee and staff will notify the applicant if any permits or approvals need to be obtained. Façade improvements must be completed within 1 year of project approval and original receipts for all project expenses (labor, materials, etc.) are required for reimbursement. Village Façade Improvement Program funds are distributed on a first-come-first- serve basis. Program Criteria: - Exterior improvements, visible from Big Basin Way, will bring improved area into compliance with City building codes, ordinances, statutes, or requirements, or those of any other entities that may have jurisdiction over the property (i.e. fire safety codes) - Painting, signage, lighting, and exterior repair projects that follow Village Design Guidelines - Addition of shade feature to storefronts, particularly awnings - Landscaping that beautifies Big Basin Way streetscape - Façade improvements that enhance design elements and architectural features, such as inlaid tile, brick, decorative cornices, enhanced doors or window treatments Examples of Approved Projects: - New exterior paint - Installation or replacement of canvas awning - Improvements to sidewalk seating areas, including landscaping - New signage or improvements to existing signage - Enhancements to doors and windows, including new trim - Installation of exterior planter boxes Proposals for the following are not eligible: - Improvements that are outside of the Village Commercial District or not visible from Big Basin Way - Upgrades to electrical, gas, heating, or telecommunications - Interior improvements, including carpet, tile, and partition walls 1 2 Program Requirements: - Submission of a completed Façade Improvement Application, including estimates, timeline, photographs, and property owner permission, to the City of Saratoga Façade Improvement Program - Applicants other than the property owner (i.e. current business owner) must provide property owner consent - Up to 50% of project costs can be reimbursed through the Village Façade Improvement Program - Grants are not awarded in amounts greater than $5,000 - Project must be completed within 1 year of project approval - After application approval, program participants may still be required to obtain approvals or permits from City of Saratoga - To receive reimbursements after project completion, program participant must submit original receipts for all project expenses (labor, materials, etc.), photos of finished project, and review of project goals listed in application How to Apply: - Submit one (1) original and two (2) copies of the completed application, along with photos of the proposed project location and property owner consent (if necessary) - If grant money is available, the application will be reviewed to determine if the project is eligible for the Village Façade Improvement Program - Once eligibility is established, projects will be considered and approved by the City Council Village Ad Hoc Committee - Upon approval, staff will inform the applicant if permits, site plan, or any other documents are required and a Façade Improvement Program Agreement will be executed between the City of Saratoga, business owner, and property owner—if applicant is separate from the property owner - Project must receive all appropriate and necessary permits or permissions - To receive grant money, the project must be completed within 1 year of project approval as stated in the Program Agreement - Funds are available on a first-come-first serve basis o First priority will be given to proposed projects that bring building into compliance with City codes o Second priority will be given to projects with an emphasis on enhancing the Big Basin streetscape No single parcel with multiple tenants may take up more than 33% of the total available Façade Improvement Funds for any given fiscal year. Individual property owners and/or business owners may apply for the Façade Improvement Program for consecutive years, as long as program requirements are met. For more information, please contact: Crystal Morrow, City of Saratoga 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 Phone: (408) 868-1275 Fax: (408) 867-8559 Email: cmorrow@saratoga.ca.us City of Saratoga Village Façade Improvement Program Application Please write clearly in dark ink or type your answers to the following questions. Attach photos of the proposed project location and additional sheets as needed. Return one (1) original and two (2) copies of the completed application with necessary attachments to: City of Saratoga Façade Improvement Program Attention: Crystal Morrow 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 Completed applications will be reviewed on a first-come-first-serve basis. For more information, contact Crystal Morrow with the City of Saratoga at cmorrow@saratoga.ca.us or (408) 868-1275. Name of Business: Address: Name of Applicant: Address: Telephone: Email: Project Location: Are you the property owner? Yes No If your answer is no, please fill out property owner information below. Property owner must sign application to indicate approval of proposed project. Name of Property Owner: Address: Telephone: Email: 1 2 Proposed Project Description: Estimated Project Costs: Grant Amount Request: Estimated Project Completion Date: How will the project improve the overall look of the Saratoga Village Commercial District? Please provide a detailed project timeline and plan for adhering to this timeline: Projects must be completed within 1 year of project approval. Grants are available up to 50% of total project cost, but are not awarded in amounts greater than $5,000. To receive reimbursements after project completion, program participant must submit original receipts for all project expenses (labor, materials, etc.), photos of finished project, and review of project goals listed in application. Date: Applicant Signature Date: Property Owner Signature (if separate from Applicant)