Title
CDBG Façade Improvement Program
Summary
MEETING DATE: March 2, 2015
DEPARTMENT: Housing and Community Development
CONTACT: Will Honea, Community Services Coordinator
Shirletta Best, Community Services Administrator
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
· Discuss Façade Improvement Program
ITEM SUMMARY:
· The McKinney Housing and Community Development Department offers services through its housing and community services divisions, including public service grants, housing services, public awareness programs and special economic development programs One feature of the economic development program is the façade improvement program.
· Funding is provided under the city's Community Development Block Grant. Program benefits include positive contribution to the city's redevelopment efforts and assists eligible business owners.
Program goals include:
o Under CDBG funding, expand economic opportunities, principally to benefit low-to-moderate income persons.
o Improve a minimum of one business façade in the current program year as a 100% deferred grant.
o Program focus extends to eligible existing businesses primarily within census tracts 309, 308 and 307, near the City's Town Center and S.H. 5 Corridor.
· Interested applicants must apply for funding.
· Work must be done on the exterior of the building and result in a visible improvement.
· Only properties zoned as commercial or mixed used are eligible.
· Only work begun after approval will be eligible for funding.
· Staff will review application and draft recommendations; the department will consult as needed with Development Services and other city departments as a Façade Grant Committee.
· Contracts will be brought to City Council for final approval.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
· The City of McKinney is a grantee of the Community Development Block Grant under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The CDBG program allocates annual grants to larger cities and urban counties to develop viable communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and opportunities to expand economic opportunities, predominately for low- and moderate-income persons.
· The City's CDBG total allocation for 2014-15 is $ 730,247 including funded programs and activities under Public Services, Housing Rehabilitation, Acquisition, CDBG Economic Development and Grants Administration.
· The funding process began March, 2014 with two public hearings in May, 2014 followed by a 30-day public comment period and a Community Forum in July, 2014 before McKinney City Council adopted the CDBG Annual Action Plan on August 4, 2014. The action plan was submitted to HUD for final approval on August 13, 2014. The program year is October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015.
· Throughout the year, the City updates the public on CDBG activities through public awareness events including P.R.I.D.E. (Promoting Resident Involvement, Development and Enthusiasm) quarterly meetings, National Community Development Week (April) and formally under the city's annual year-end report of all CDBG funded activities.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
· There is no impact to the General Fund. The Façade Improvement Grant allocation is $15,692.
· Funding is currently under 100% grant basis. As the City completes the 5-year Housing and Community Development Consolidated Plan, future years would propose façade improvements to business owners under a 1:1 match basis.
SUPPORTING MATERIALS:
· Façade Improvement Information Guide