Funding program guidelines

The Facade Grant Program is designed to stimulate downtown investment by providing matching grants for the maintenance and rehabilitation of commercial properties in the downtown business district. The program is funded by Discover New Carlisle, Inc. and 1st Source Bank.

Discover New Carlisle, Inc. will offer up to a total of $7,500 in matching funds per year for eligible projects. Façade Grant Applications will be accepted beginning January 1st of each year and will be reviewed in the order of the date they are received. Based on size and number of grant applications, every effort will be made to fund as many projects as possible. A maximum of one grant application per building per calendar year will be accepted, with no more than two successive approved requests per building.

• Facade Improvement - A 50% reimbursement up to a maximum of $5,000.
• Awnings - A 50% reimbursement up to $2,500 of actual costs associated with addition, improvement or replacement of awnings.
• Signage/Lighting - A 50% reimbursement of up to $2,500 of actual costs associated with addition, improvement or replacement of signs or lights.

Qualifying Facade Projects

To qualify for a grant, the proposed project must meet some or all of the following criteria:

• Maintain historic or architectural integrity
• Preserve or restore architectural features
• Use material and colors that match building or district identity
• Consider the entire building
• Take cues from neighboring buildings
• Maintain continuity with character of district (i.e. storefront retail, etc.)
• Improve or maintain interest and appeal at street level
• Expand or maintain visual access to building interiors

Qualifying Facade Locations

Qualifying projects must be located within Discover New Carlisle's focus area which is Michigan Street and one-and-a-half blocks north and south of Michigan Street between both welcome signs at the east and west ends of town. Because a significant portion of New Carlisle's commercial buildings are over a hundred years old, priority will be given to historic structures located in the National Register Historic District. However, non-historic buildings are also encouraged to apply.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant or co-applicant must be the building owner. Tenants may qualify upon written consent of the building owner.

Eligible Activities

Items include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Accentuating the existing features of the building through painting, lighting, restoration, replacement, cleaning, or other treatment of exterior surfaces.
• The addition of design elements which may have appeared on the original building or are in keeping with the building's character, e.g. awnings.
• Repair to building exterior facades- front and side facades (if a corner building)
• Masonry repair
• Painting or cleaning, with appropriate methods that will not damage building
• Repairing/replacing cornices, entrances, doors, windows, decorative detail, and awnings
  
  - Window repair/restoration of historic/original/existing windows
  - Window replacements - only of non-original/non-historic windows to windows of more historically appropriate style and materials. Owners are encouraged to repair original/historic windows, but may replace with like windows in size, shape, material if deemed beyond repair.
• Sign removal, repair or replacement (in accordance with New Carlisle sign ordinance)
• Other repairs that may improve the aesthetic quality of the building and involves the general upgrading of a building and/or restoration of the original exterior architecture.

inEligible Activities

Items include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Interior improvements
• Roofing
• Additions to existing structures; acquisition of property; demolition
• Sidewalks or paving
• Purchase of furnishings, equipment, or other personal property, which does not become a part of the real estate
• Improvements completed or in progress prior to notification of approval
• Repair or creation of features not compatible with original architecture and/or inconsistent with the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings
• Building permit fees
• Activities not visible from the public right-of-way, unless a necessary component of façade improvement work

Facade Grant Application Procedure

• Applicant contacts Dana Groves (574-298-6267) for a pre-application consultation.
• Applicant submits façade grant application, attaching photo of existing façade, photo/illustration/sketch of proposed project, and written estimate from contractor as deemed necessary. A letter of permission from the building owner is required if the applicant is not the building owner.
• The application is reviewed by the Façade Grant Committee to ensure it complies with the design, scope, and expectations set forth by Discover New Carlisle, Inc.
• The Façade Grant Committee approves or denies façade grant, including any conditions of approval.
• Façade Grant Agreement is provided to applicant for signature for an approved façade grant.
• Work proceeds only after Grant Agreement is signed by applicant.
• Applicant notifies Dana Groves of completion.
• Upon completion, project is inspected and approved for payment and a completion photo is taken.
• Applicant submits invoices for reimbursement to Discover New Carlisle, Inc.
• Discover New Carlisle, Inc. will pay the approved amount to the grant recipient.

Conditions and terms of grant

The work for facade projects must be done in a manner consistent with the description of such work in the application submitted to Discover New Carlisle, Inc. for the grant request.

Project duration

Unless otherwise approved, all projects must be completed within one year of the date of the signed grant approval. Incomplete projects result in a forfeiture of funds. Grant recipients may request an extension. Extensions may be approved by Discover New Carlisle, Inc. if substantial progress is demonstrated.

Permitting and approval

All work to be performed on the grant recipient's building must comply with New Carlisle’s Town’s ordinances, codes, and regulations and should follow the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation. It is the sole responsibility of the grant recipient to obtain any and all zoning clearances, variances, permits, and approvals. Contact the New Carlisle Building Inspector to ascertain what approvals will be required for the project. Town Hall (574)654-3773