[Durham INC] Durham Seeks Ninth Street Commercial Corridor Grant Applicants

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CITY OF DURHAM
Office of Public Affairs
101 City Hall Plaza
Durham, NC 27701

News Release


News Media Contact:
Amy Blalock
Sr. Public Affairs Specialist
(919) 560-4123 x 11253
(919) 475-7735 (cell)
Amy.Blalock at DurhamNC.gov<mailto:Amy.Blalock at DurhamNC.gov>
http://Facebook.com/CityofDurhamNC
http://Twitter.com/CityofDurhamNC
http://YouTube.com/CityofDurhamNC


For Immediate Release: September 18, 2014



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Durham Seeks Ninth Street Commercial Corridor Grant Applicants
October 31st Deadline to Submit Applications; Public Information Session Set for September 30th

DURHAM, N.C. - Durham business owners in the Ninth Street Commercial Corridor interested in funds to help improve their business locations should take note of an upcoming sign and façade grant opportunity.

On Monday, September 22, 2014, the City of Durham's Office of Economic and Workforce Development will begin accepting sign and façade grant applications for the Ninth Street Commercial Corridor, which is bordered by Ninth Street, Green Street, Iredell Street and West Main Street and includes the sections of Perry Street and West Markham Avenue within this area as well as Safeway Street. To assist applicants with identifying whether proposed projects are located within eligible geographic areas, a state-of-the-art mapping application has been developed by the City's Geographic Information Systems' Division. To view the mapping application, visit http://bit.ly/1q8ckaA.

The deadline to apply is Friday, October 31, 2014, at 4 p.m. Additional information, including grant submission guidelines and a downloadable application, can be found at http://bit.ly/1wmezwD. Potential applicants interested in learning more about this grant opportunity may also attend a public information session on Tuesday, September 30, 2014, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Audit Services Conference Room, located on the first floor of City Hall at 101 City Hall Plaza, Durham.

Sign and Façade Grant
The Sign and Façade Grant is a part of the Retail and Professional Services Grant Program. The Sign and Façade Grant's objective is to assist business owners and improve the pedestrian experience in select neighborhoods by enhancing the visibility and appearance of businesses through signage and façade improvements that are physically, historically, and architecturally compatible with relevant design guidelines.

Signage improvements include costs related to the design, fabrication, refurbishment, and installation of signs. Façade improvements must be made to the exterior of one or more sides of the building and/or property visible from a public street or municipal parking lot. At least 50 percent of façade improvements must be attributed to costs associated within the following categories: 1) restoration, repair, or replacement of windows, doors, exterior walls, chimneys, or other architectural elements; 2) exterior painting; 3) awnings, marquees, and related exterior lighting and electrical fixtures; 4) masonry repair and cleaning; 5) non-flat roof repair for portion noticeable from the public line of site; 6) exterior work necessary for conversion to a retail or entertainment storefront; 7) removal of modern façades, in order to restore back to vintage quality; 8) restoration of vintage elements; and 9) removal of deteriorated building materials, such as plywood or metal. Additional allowable improvements include property improvements, including landscaping, fencing, screening, and paving and parking lot improvements.

The maximum incentive per business or address shall not exceed $2,500 for the signage portion of the grant and $20,000 overall. In no case shall the incentive exceed 50 percent of the total project cost. Funds will be provided through reimbursement upon completion of the project and submission of appropriate documentation proving compliance with relevant design guidelines and costs. Funding of any application is subject to availability. After receiving a completed grant application, all efforts will be made to evaluate and determine funding requests within 30 business days of the submission deadline. The City anticipates notifying applicants of their award status by December 16, 2014. Information and guidance on signs may be found on City's website at http://bit.ly/1m6dUiF.

Interested applicants may also contact Senior Economic Development Coordinator Reginald Jones with the City's Office of Economic and Workforce Development by email at Reginald.Jones at DurhamNC.gov<mailto:Reginald.Jones at DurhamNC.gov> or by phone at (919) 560-4965, ext. 15207.

About the Office of Economic & Workforce Development
Guided by the City's Strategic Plan, the Office of Economic & Workforce Development helps ensure that Durham has a strong and diverse economy by increasing the city's tax base through several revitalization initiatives, including new development efforts in the central city area. The department also plans and promotes cultural awareness and events, identifies and recruits target industries as well as assesses and trains Durham residents to fill new jobs. For more information, visit http://www.DurhamEconomicDevelopment.org.

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