Business Assistance Program

Procedures and Process
Workshops

The Business Assistance Program provides financial assistance to property owners or tenants seeking to renovate or restore commercial building exteriors.  The program is intended to improve the physical appearance of businesses and enhance Downtown Northville.  Grant funds are made available through Tax Increment Financing (TIF) dollars, collected by the Northville Downtown Development Authority (DDA).  This program is not to be utilized for merchandise, inventory, or interior signage or fixtures.

I. Goal of the Program

The goal of the program is to achieve quality design and encourage economic investment within Downtown Northville.  The Northville DDA believes that by providing incentives to spur revitalization and reinvestment in structures within the DDA district, it will create a more attractive downtown as well as greatly complement the many ongoing economic development efforts currently underway.

II. Program Descriptions:

A.  Technical Assistance Grant - A Technical Assistance Grant provides a 50-50 matching grant (not to exceed $500) for businesses interested in developing a marketing plan, utilizing new window display techniques, or making architectural design changes to their building.  This grant is intended to assist a business owner in identifying a professional resource.

B.  Physical Improvement Grant - The Physical Improvement Grant provides a 50-50 matching grant up to $5,000 for front and side facades and up to $2,500 for rear façades.  Large scale projects will require a licensed architect and contractor to refine conceptual designs and to implement City approved plans.

These competitive grant programs are set up as matching grants, where the business or building owner will spend $1 and the DDA will match it with $1 up to one half of the project expenditure or the limit of the program.  Both programs reimburse the applicants after the project or consultation is successfully completed.  Grant applications for the cycle beginning spring 2008 are not available at this time.  Please call the DDA office at 248-349-0345 for current information.

III. Eligible Applicants: 

Property owners or leaseholders of commercial property within the DDA boundaries.  A map of the DDA boundaries is available from the DDA office or from City Hall.  In the case of a leaseholder the permission of the property owner is required.

IV. Eligible Properties: 

All existing commercial or mixed use buildings located within the DDA boundaries.  Property taxes and other City accounts must be current in order to be eligible for consideration.

An applicant may apply as many times as desired but cannot exceed the allocated per project total over a five year period.  For example:  a mid-block building would be eligible for a total of $7,500.  Awards for funding can be made in several yearly project allocations, but cannot exceed $7,500 over any five year period.

V.  Eligible Improvements: 

All grant funded improvements must be permanent and fixed in type and/or nature.  Improvements must meet all State of Michigan and City of Northville code requirements including zoning, building, and safety codes.  The applicant must obtain all necessary permits and pay any corresponding fees.

The DDA Board of Directors, upon recommendation from the BAP Advisory Committee reserves the right to determine the eligibility of all items in a project’s scope of work.  Eligible items include, but may not be limited to:

• Façade rehabilitation
• Storefront repair or rehabilitation
• Signage
• Door and window repair or replacement
• Exterior painting
• Masonry cleaning and/or repair
• Awnings
• Lighting
• Landscape/hardscape services

All improvements must be initiated within six months and completed within one year of receiving the Notice to Proceed with the project.  If the applicant has not met these requirements, the DDA will re-evaluate the status of the project.  At its discretion, the DDA reserves the right to cancel or extend the funding commitment.

The entire DDA is within the boundaries of the Historic District.  All improvements are therefore required to be reviewed and approved by the Northville Historic District Commission.  A copy of the Historic District Design Standards will be provided upon request. 

VI.  Evaluation Criteria:

The DDA’s decision to accept an application will be based on available funds, the merits of the proposed project, and the support it provides to the advancement of the Strategic Plan for Downtown Northville.  The following issues will be taken into consideration when reviewing the applications:

• Significant improvement of the visual appearance of the building and surrounding area.
• The level of investment being made to the property.
• Collective participation of adjacent property owners, if applicable.
• Compatible with the Strategic Plan for Downtown Northville.

If funding is not approved, applicants are encouraged to reapply during a future BAP grant cycle.

VII.  Maintenance: 

Grant recipients must agree to maintain the property and all improvements funded by the Business Assistance Program.

VIII.  Contact Information: 

For additional information about the Business Assistance Program or to set up an appointment please contact Lori M. Ward, DDA Director at 248-349-0345. 

1. Business applicants or property owners must complete and submit a BAP application to the DDA office, located on the lower level of the City Hall, 215 West Main Street, Northville, MI 48167.  Grant applications for the cycle beginning spring 2008 are not available at this time.  Please contact the DDA office for current information.   (Applications must be received and approved before any work on the project begins.)  Proof of ownership and paid taxes are required with a non-refundable $25 application fee.  Design plans or the proposed improvements must be submitted with the application.  At a minimum, a detailed description of the work to be completed along with building photos must be submitted.

2. The business or property owner will then meet with the DDA director to discuss the scope of the project.  The scope of the project may require the services of a licensed architect.

3. The applications will then be presented to the BAP Advisory Committee for review.  The Advisory Committee will then make a recommendation to the DDA Board of Directors on which projects should receive funding, and the extent of funding.

4. The DDA will meet to consider the Advisory Committee’s recommendation.

5. All properties eligible for the grant program are within the boundaries of the Historic District.  Therefore, all projects must go before the Historic District Commission (HDC) for review and approval.  In addition, any subsequent changes to the design must be reviewed and approved by the HDC.

6. Once the applicant’s project is approved by both the DDA Board of Directors and the Historic District Commission (HDC), applicants will need to submit three contractor bids or quotes for all proposed work estimated to be over $5,000.  If the projected is estimated to be under $5,000 only one quote is necessary.  After the bids/quotes have been secured, and a contractor selected by the applicant, the applicant and contractor enter into the grant contract.  The DDA Director will then issue a Notice to Proceed with the improvements.

7. Applicant will oversee construction work in consultation with their architect, if applicable.

8. The applicant has one year to complete the approved project

9. Upon satisfactory completion of the project, applicant will schedule an onsite visit with the DDA Director to confirm satisfactory completion of the job.  The applicant will then submit paid bills, contractor receipts, statement of applicants satisfaction, and copies of permits.  The DDA Director will then prepare a check for payment of the matching grant.

Workshops will be held this spring for all interested building owners and tenants.  Dates have not yet been determined.  Please check back for more information.

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