Facade Improvement Tax Reimbursement Program - Neighborhood Reinvestment Act, Part II

Tax Reimbursement for Commercial Property

INFORMATION AND DESIGN GUIDELINES

Ordinance Requirements

1.   The property must be in a commercial zone;

2.   The building to be improved must be used, at the time the application is made, for a purpose that requires a commercial zone;

3.   The structure must have been constructed before 1951;

4.   The property must have a fair market value of $70,000 or more at the time the application for improvements is approved;

5.   The property and its owner(s) must not be delinquent in payment of any State, County, or City taxes;

6.   The property must remain in commercial use over the reimbursement period and must re-qualify annually;

7.   Eligible, exterior improvements must be significant, exceeding $10,000 and be completed prior to reimbursement eligibility;

8.   Improvements must meet the eligibility guidelines and be approved by the Facade Improvement Committee;

9.   Any work done prior to approval is not eligible.

10. A property shall be eligible for the program one time only.

11. Total annual reimbursement may not exceed the property taxes assessed or $3,000, whichever is less.

12. Eligible owners may receive reimbursement for not more than 3 years starting January 1, 2006. Eligibility must be certified each year.

13. After completion of the facade improvements through this program, owners may receive 2 additional years of tax reimbursement

(Year 4 & Year 5) if the upper floors of the building are also in use as residential living space or “active” commercial space.

Additional requirements for upper floors:

A.  Inspection of interior space by City Code inspectors and certified as meeting basic livability occupancy standards;

B.  Occupied for at least 9 months each year of reimbursement;

C.  Active commercial space is a second floor used for retail, professional offices, financial services, entertainment, religious services or food/beverage sales. This does not include storage of items or any floor which is at or below grade level at any point.

Statement of Philosophy

The main objective of the program is to enhance the aesthetics of the City by improving the facades of older commercial buildings in Jefferson City so that after completion of the work, citizens will recognize improvement in the appearance of the buildings. A secondary objective is to promote mixed use (residential/commercial) in the older commercial areas of the city.

At the forefront of the facade improvement effort is the desire to revitalize the older commercial buildings in Jefferson City.  Storefronts and large scale buildings define the overall character of a commercial area and are the focus of the revitalization effort.  Focusing on streetscape design early in the improvement process is important in maintaining the character of older commercial districts.

Traditional storefronts are consistent through the use of similar building elements.  Buildings should maintain the same height width, proportion of openings and scale as surrounding buildings in a corridor.  Missing elements should be replaced with quality materials. General continuity among individual buildings should be maintained and visible.

General Principles

• Preserve historic materials and character while keeping a building in use, at times by accommodating new uses.

• Repair deteriorated features and materials to the greatest extent possible.

• Replace, if needed, with compatible matching new materials.

• Avoid “modernizing” features of the building.

• High-quality materials should be used to convey substance and integrity. (Avoid artificial materials and elements.)

• Building materials, such as brick and stone, are encouraged.

• Screening of roof top equipment shall be required from the street side view. Parapet walls are preferred over the use of screening walls.

• All improvements must be compatible with applicable zoning codes and satisfy permit requirements.

• All exterior improvements must be visible from the street and visible to the public.

Eligible Improvements

• Facade removal - Exterior building materials on the facade that is not original or is in excess to the building. (Examples: vinyl or aluminum siding).

• Brick or wall surface cleaning - Cleaning of the exterior building features and materials must be done by the gentlest means possible - (Examples: no sandblasting or power washing).

• Patching and painting of facade walls - Repair, rebuild or restore walls including cleaning, sealing, tuck pointing, patching or painting. Colors of materials, signs, window frames, cornices, storefronts and other building features should be coordinated and determined by the nature of the building chosen with their original character in mind.

• Canopy or awning installation/repair - Canopy and awning shapes and colors should relate to the building’s architectural elements. Canvas and fire-resistant acrylic are permitted. (Avoid vinyl or plastic).

• Window and/or door replacement/repair - Install, replace or repair doors/windows frames, sills, glazing or glass. Restoration of the original window size is encouraged. The height of storefront windows shall relate to the windows of surrounding buildings. Upper floor windows shall be in harmony with the remaining building proportions and character. (Avoid filling in existing windows.)

• Mortar joint repair - Use materials consistent with the original mortar composition

• Railings, ironwork repair or addition - Original exterior ironwork elements should be restored to enhance the appearance of the building.

• Cornice repair or replacement - Original cornice should be restored or replaced using appropriate quality materials.

• Replacement/repair to exterior steps - Repair, restore, replace or install steps where they affect access to the building using appropriate quality materials. (Avoid prefabricated elements.)

Non-Eligible Improvements - The following are examples of activities that are NOT eligible improvements:

• Routine maintenance of buildings not part of a comprehensive facade improvement project;

• Extermination of insects, rodents, vermin or other pests;

• Air conditioning or heating equipment;

• Fire suppression systems;

• Plumbing;

• Electrical wiring or service upgrades for interior of building;

• Elevator installation or repair;

• Interior floor or ceiling replacement or repair;

• Window displays;

• Acquisition or related costs, legal fees;

• Any other improvements that is not deemed eligible as part of the facade improvement program.

Application Process

Step 1:  Review the Facade Improvements Program information, guidelines, and application form.

            Download the Guidelines and Facade Improvement Tax Reimbursement Program - Neighborhood Reinvestment Act, Part II Application now

            or applications are available at City Hall-Administration Department, 320 E. McCarty, Jefferson City, MO or by calling (573) 634-6305.

Step 2:  Complete application; include photos of building exterior, and itemized cost estimate for proposed facade improvements.

Step 3:  Meet with Facade Improvement Committee to discuss proposed improvements and receive preliminary approval to continue to design phase.

Step 4:  Submit detailed design drawings, concepts, material/color samples for project to Facade Improvement Committee for final review and approval.

Step 5:  Receive final approval and notice to proceed with project. Owner now qualifies for the special loan program through local bank.

Step 6:  Proceed with approved project.

Step 7:  Complete project and receive final certification of eligibility for tax reimbursement.

Step 8:  Submit to City proof of payment for property tax at the end of each year over three year period.