Tompkinsville Facade Improvement Program Fact Sheet

The Downtown Staten Island Council’s

Tompkinsville Façade Improvement Program

Funded by New York Main Street Grant & Office of Community Renewal

New York City Department of Small Business Services

The Staten Island Foundation

TOMPKINSVILLE FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT

PROGRAM FACT SHEET

The New York Main Street Program for the Tompkinsville community provides partial grants for the restoration, repair and renovation of commercial and residential units.

The following activities can be funded in part through the NYMS Program:

Building Renovation: Local Program Administrators (LPAs)* may provide participating owners with matching renovation grants of up to $50,000/building for first and/or second floor civic/commercial use, plus an additional $25,000 for each residential unit, not to exceed 75% of Total Project Cost or $150,000/building, whichever is less. Building renovation grants may be for façade renovations or interior work. All work must comply with the standards of the State of Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, for properties eligible for the historic register, and with local design guidelines. If the façade does not meet design standards as noted above, a façade renovation will be required.

*The Downtown Staten Island Council (LPA) received $175,000 in funding for Building/Façade Renovation.

Streetscape Enhancement: Grants of up to $60,000* for programs to plant trees and other landscaping, install street furniture and trash receptacles, provide appropriate signs in accordance with a local signage plan, and other appurtenant activities. Distinctive street lighting may be eligible for funding where applicants can satisfy all feasibility issues.

*The Downtown Staten Island Council (LPA) received $25,000 in funding for Streetscape Enhancements.

Project Requirements:

All projects must be approved prior to any work being done by Downtown Staten Island Council staff and advisory board members.

This program will reimburse completed projects when it is deemed complete by fulfilling the approved scope of work by the DSIC staff and Advisory board members.

Projects must meet the following programs requirements and be located within the approved Tompkinsville Improvement District target area.

Requirements for eligible properties

• First-floor Façade of commercial buildings within the target area.

• Building renovations which include first floor facades and the interior space of the residential units.

• Meet residential unit requirements for post-construction tenancy.

Priority grants will be given to:

• Projects which demonstrate a stabilizing effect on the Tompkinsville community.

• Properties where immediate action will help alleviate or prevent dangers to the health and safety of the community.

• Historic properties in danger of being lost in part, or in total, to disrepair or damage,

• Properties where façade improvement would reduce blight or contribute to the economic recovery of the target area, or

• Commercial properties with a residential component

Notification/Outreach Process:

• The Downtown Staten Island Council (DSIC) will provide informational workshops on the New York Main Street program.

• To find out dates and to attend our workshops, please visit our website at: www.downtownsi.com

• Downtown Staten Island Council (DSIC) will also be conducting outreach in the community with information provided by door to door canvassing, press releases and news stories in the Staten Island Advance. Information is also posted on the DSIC website.

Target Areas:

To find out if your property or business is in our target area, please visit our website at www.downtownsi.com or call our office to receive a fax listing of eligible storefronts and properties at 718-273-6369. Please leave your name, property address, phone and fax number to receive a listing. Fax: 718-720-1976

Application Process

• Applicants will be considered in the order they are received by Downtown Staten Island Council and until funds are available.

• Applicants will be notified within 30 days of the submission of a completed application of the disposition of the application.

• A formal letter will be sent to all applicants and approved projects will also be published on the DSIC website.

• A member of the Downtown Staten Island Council will discuss the ‘scope of work’ and initial estimate of cost with the applicant.

• A site visit will be conducted by DSIC staff and the Advisory Board to determine that the applicant has met the eligibility requirements.

The applicant will be responsible for paying all agreed upon repairs, but Downtown Staten Island Council will not reimburse more than the costs identified in the 2009 Request for Proposals document.

Interim Financing

Downtown Staten Island Council will assist applicants with exploring opportunities for outside financing.

Priorities for Scope of Work

1-     Immediate health and safety concerns

2-     The correction of code violations

3-     Addressing any lead-based paint hazards that may exist in buildings that contain residential units.

4-     Installation of energy conservation measures

5-     Consistency with any other local program design guidelines

6-     Preservation of historic elements of the building

Scope of Work:

DSIC and property owner will sign-off on a scope of work before the owner is authorized to seek bids for work.

Scope of work must meet requirements of the New York Main Street program, the Office of the State Historic Preservation Office and the Housing Trust Fund Corporation.

Contractors:

• DSIC will provide a list of recommended contractors which meet the standards of the program. This includes women and minority owned vendors.

• A minimum of two bids are required prior to project approval.

• All contractors must be based on Staten Island and be licensed and insured. Proof is required.

Contracting Procedures:

DSIC will enter into a contract with the property owner to provide details on the agreed upon the New York Main Street grant, subject to the property owner entering into a contract based on the agreed upon scope of the project and work beginning within 30 days of DSIC approval.

Contract between DSIC and the property owner will specify that the payment will be made after all work is completed and approved.

DSIC has the right to inspect all work at anytime and cancel the contract should the work being done be inconsistent with the standards mentioned in the preceding sections or if problems arise with the workmanship or if insurance is not maintained by the contractor.

Obligations of Property Owners:

• Required to maintain the property assisted with New York Main Street funds for a period of seven years after final payment is made.

• Residential units assisted with the New York Main Street funds must be marketed and priced for low income households for the seven year period.

• A declaration must be signed by the property owner and approved by the Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC) and registered at the office of the Richmond County Clerk.

• In the event of non-compliance or resale, the amount of grant funds will be subject to repayment in accordance with a simple annual declining balance, based on the seven- year enforcement period.