Façade Improvement Program

A FINANCIAL INCENTIVE PROGRAM TO HELP REHABILITATE

COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT OF GETTYSBURG

 Partners: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Borough of Gettysburg, Main Street Gettysburg, Inc.

This project is financed by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development.

Overview:  Main Street Gettysburg was awarded a $50,000 grant for a Façade Improvement Program from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development. This program allows qualified commercial property owners and tenants within the town’s Historic District to be reimbursed for specific sign, paint, design, and storefront façade projects.

Maximum reimbursement of $5,000 per commercial property. Applications can be submitted for less than the maximum; smaller projects are encouraged to apply. Projects must be matched dollar-for-dollar by the applicant.

Projects must (be):

·       Used only for commercial properties and purposes, not residential or rental housing

·       Located within the boundaries of Gettysburg’s Historic District

·       Matched on a minimum 1:1, dollar-for-dollar, match

·       Reviewed, approved and in compliance with all requirements of the Borough’s Code Enforcement, Historic Architectural Review Board, and Main Street Gettysburg, Inc.

·       Conform to the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Historic Rehabilitation

·       Projects begun or completed prior to award notification are ineligible

·       Have two independent, detailed estimates

 Payment will be:

·       A direct reimbursement, not a loan, to the commercial property owner or tenant

·       Made after the satisfactory and timely completion of the project (within 4 months of applicant’s approval)

·       Made after receipt of complete and appropriate documentation of applicant expenditures, including paid receipts and color photos of the completed eligible project

·       Limited to a maximum reimbursement of $5,000 per property

·       Project funds are limited and may not be kept reserved for an applicant’s project beyond four (4) months of an application’s approval, unless an extension is granted by Main Street Gettysburg

 Eligible Projects:

·       Up to $5,000 per storefront/street-facing façade project

·       Up to $5,000 to restore/repaint historic wood siding

·       Up to $3,500 per paint project, other than historic wood siding

·       Up to $2,500 to bring existing signs into conformance with the Borough’s design guidelines & sign ordinance

·       Up to $2,500 per sign project - such as upgrading a basic sign to a more attractive or historic looking one

·       Up to $2,500 to use appropriate wooden replacement windows, doors, or shutters

·       Up to $2,500 to repoint/replace historic brick with appropriate lime mortar and bricks

·       Up to $750 per design project - such as hiring an architect, especially when one might not have been used

 Evaluation Criteria:

·       Degree to which project will improve the applicant’s building façade and/or correct physical deterioration of the structure

·       Use of an acceptable design professional. For example, it would generally be anticipated that an architect, a professional engineer or design professional of similar credentials would be involved in a larger or more extensive project

·       Degree to which the proposed project will encourage reuse of an underutilized structure or retention of an existing business

·       Degree to which the proposed project meets the required 1:1 match

 A Complete Application Packet Includes:

·       Two copies of the Application Form, including attachments describing total and eligible projects

·       Two independent written estimates for eligible work secured by applicant from contractors

·       One copy of all approved applications & permits, as may be required by the Borough of Gettysburg’s Code Enforcement and or Historic Architectural Review Board

·       One signed Certification and Release form

·       One set of color photos of existing conditions, including both building façade and project area

·       One set of acceptable sketches or drawings of proposed improvements, if appropriate to project

·       One copy of property deed cover page showing legal name of owner(s), if owner is the applicant

·       One copy of the property owner’s letter of permission/approval for project, if tenant is the applicant

·       $50.00 non-refundable application fee as check/money order payable to Main Street Gettysburg, Inc.

 Application period is February 20 through March 31, 2023. Applicants must deliver the completed application packet to Main Street Gettysburg, 59 East High Street, Suite 3, Gettysburg, PA 17325. Complete application packets will be reviewed by Main Street Gettysburg within 30 days of receipt (or, set a notification date, such as April 30, 2023).

Documentation Required for Reimbursement:

·       One copy of all paid receipts for eligible work

·       One signed copy of Confirmation of Payment

·       One set of color photos of completed project

Main Street Gettysburg reserves the right to request additional documentation and/or to deny reimbursement if project is not completed in a satisfactory and/or timely manner.

 Applications are reviewed by Main Street Gettysburg, Inc. No person shall be excluded from participation, denied program benefits, or discriminated against because of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability.