Heart of the City Program: Building Restoration & Improvement Program
$30,000.00
Loan
Description:
The Building Restoration & Improvement Program provides landowners loans, either forgivable or interest free, to help with interior improvements to buildings for 50% of the total cost to a maximum of $30,000.
Comments on Funding:
Funding is in one of two forms:
1. Type 1 (for total projects worth $20,000 or less): up to $10,000.00 Maximum (with a minimum grant of
$2,000.00/property) as a five (5) year forgivable loan at 20% forgiveness per year.
2. Type 2 (for total projects greater than $20,000): up to $30,000.00 Maximum (with 60% (i.e. maximum of $18,000.00) of loan repayable over 10 years at 0% interest and the remaining 40% (i.e. maximum of $12,000.00) as a forgivable loan over 5 years, based on loan forgiveness rate of 20%/year.
Continuous Intake
Eligibility:
Applicants must be land owners that made interior improvements to buildings in the central core, or “Heart of the City”.
These areas include the downtown business district (Pitt Street and adjacent roadways) along with the Le Village shopping district.
Application Steps:
Application steps:
1. Consultation Meeting
a) Call or email to set up an initial meeting with Dana McLean, development Coordinator to discuss applicant’s property and building renovations, the application process, timelines and identify any additional requirements, such as building permits.
b) If applicant’s plans for renovation require architectural plans for a building permit, he can submit a request for funding for the design fees.
c) A list of qualified professionals will be provided to help applicants choose a designer/architect/ engineer depending on their needs.
2. Concept Plans and estimates
a) Once applicants have their concept design plans, they can contact contractors to ask them to provide estimates for each of the areas of work based on the finalized plans, such as windows, store front and interior renovations which may include electrical and plumbing.
b) Staff will help applicants meet with other city departments for any additional requirements, such as permits.
c) Once you have the estimates you may apply for funding for the renovation work.
3. Submit application
a)The application is reviewed by the Cornwall Planning Programs evaluation group (CPPEG), at the beginning of the month.
b) CPPEG then makes a recommendation for your application and it is presented to the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) mid-month for approval.
c) The recommended approval then proceeds to City Council for final approval for the funding request.
4. Funding approval
a) Any work started prior to the final approval by City Council is not eligible for funding.
b) Grant funding may be dispersed through a request for progress payments or when work is completed and a final inspection has been received.
Documentation Needed:
Applicants must submit with their application:
1. the concept/design plans, site/building photos, survey;
2. estimates for each of the areas of work based on the finalized plans.
3. copy of their most current tax receipt;
4. a Letter of Authorization from the Registered Owner(s) MUST accompany this request indicating support for the subject Applicant(s) to proceed accordingly, if the Applicant(s) is not the Registered Owner(s) of the Property subject to this HOTC Program Application.
Other Things to Note:
About the author
Maurice
