| MBDC PROPERTY REHABILITATION GRANT PROGRAM |
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The Millvale Borough Development Corporation Property Rehabilitation Grant Program provides grants to Millvale property owners, or tennants with property owner approval. The Property Rehabilitation Program encourages rehabilitation of buildings to enhance the existing appearance per Millvale design guidelines.
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MBDC PRGP GUIDELINES
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The MBDC utilizes monies raised from yearly fund raising effortts as an incentive to stimulate private investment in property renovations.
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MBDC PRGP APPLICATION
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Review the Property Rehabilitation Program Guidelines below to determine if you can apply for funding. Contact Eddie Figas, MainStreet Manager with questions about the MBDC Property Rehabilitation Grant Program.
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MBDC PRGP ONLINE APPLICATION
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ADDITIONAL BUSINEES / HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS
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MBDC Property Rehabilitation Grant Program Guidelines
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RENOVATE & REPAIR PROGRAM |
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The Millvale Property Rehabilitation Grant Program is intended to stimulate private investment. The Program seeks to preserve and restore borough architecture and to foster image-making improvements to all properties regardless of their historic significance.
Projects must achieve visible results that enhance the borough image, marketability, economic vitality and / or mitigate water and / or improve pedestrian access.
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| The Millvale Property Rehabilitation Grant Program has the following specific objectives |
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1. Reduce or eliminate vacancies in Millvale Borough, and promote the adaptive reuse of buildings;
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2. Bring substandard building conditions into compliance with basic health, safety, and buildings
codes and enhance the visual appeal of Millvale Borough;
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3. Facilitate compliance with federal ADA access requirements; and
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4. Assist with the preservation of historic buildings and assure that such buildings are rehabilitated
in an appropriate manner.
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5. Grant applicants are encouraged to use the services of design professionals.
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Applicants
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Any person(s) or other legal entity owning commercial or residential property in the Borough of Millvale and operating a business or living in the propertyare eligible to apply. Special arrangements can be made for merchants/residents who lease/rent buildings.
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Priority will be given to commercial properties and businesses especially those that contain storefronts.
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The selection of Millvale Property Rehabilitation Grant recipients is based solely on project merit and not on financial need.
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Applicant must be current with all taxes and municipal bills.
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Properties must have cleaned interior and exterior of building from flood damages.
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If a property owner seeks and receives a Grant, a tenant in the same building can also receive a Grant as long as the total amount does not exceed the Grant maximum for the building. A tenant can apply for the full amount, with the consent of the property owner.
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| Projects |
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Only external improvements are eligible. Projects will be evaluated in terms of quality, design compatibility and level of visual impact.
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Only one Property Rehabilitation Grant should be awarded per property owner and/or tenant per year. When a single owner owns multiple properties that have applied under the Grant Program, only one property may receive grant monies in any given year, though a commitment may be made for another property for the succeeding year.
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| Project Types |
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Repair, rehabilitation, and restoration of storefronts, facades and outside property inclusions are eligible activities. Projects must achieve visible results that enhance Millvale Borough’s image, marketability, economic vitality and / or mitigate water and / or improve pedestrian access.
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A variety of property improvements, including major maintenance, repair, and outside rehabilitation are eligible activities. Eligible grant activities include:
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| Brick and Stone Masonry – Structural repairs, cleaning, repointing and painting. |
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| Architectural Metals – Repair, cleaning, refinishing, painting, duplication, and restoration of exterior building components, e.g. cast iron, pressed tin. |
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| Doors and Windows - Repairs, replacement, and restoration of window sash, exterior doors, and installation of storm windows. |
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| Exterior Woodwork –Repair, rehabilitation, and restoration of sills, window and doorframes, bulkheads, storefront and roof cornices, window hoods, decorative moldings. |
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| Storefronts – Removal of inappropriate coverings and additions, repair, rehabilitation, and restoration of display and transom windows and lighting. |
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| Signage –Repair, removal, and replacement. |
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| Painting – Surface preparation, cleaning, and painting. |
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| Awnings – Installation and repair of fabric awnings. |
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| Lighting – External lighting fixtures both for signage and for building lighting. |
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| Sidewalk - Repair or Replacement. |
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| Fences – Includes decorative fencing for a specific purpose. |
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| Access for the Disabled – Any project designed to create access from outdoors to indoors and in accordance with current ADA specifications. |
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| Stormwater Improvement – Includes all outside work that will help mitigate stormwater. |
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| Removal of inappropriate materials |
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Ineligible Projects
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Landscaping, interior renovations, retaining walls, paving, parking lots, routine maintenance, non-permanent items, permits and reimbursement for work conducted prior to award of the grant are eligible activities.
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Character –Millvale Borough enjoys a variety of architectural styles. It is the goal of this Property Rehabilitation Grant program to see that each building is presented in its most appealing form and the original character (if possible) of the building is preserved and/or enhanced. A property should be used for its characteristic purpose, or be placed in a new use that requires reasonable changes to the defining properties of the exterior of the building and its site and environment.
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Preservation - Any existing or historical character of a property should be retained and preserved to the extent that it is feasible. The removal of historical materials or alterations of features and spaces that characterize a property should be avoided.
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Change – It is recognized that many properties have changed over time. Those changes that contribute to the significance of Millvale Main Street‘s character in their own right should be retained and preserved.
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History – Each property should be recognized as a physical record of its time, place and use. Changes that create an inaccurate sense of historical or architectural elements from other buildings will not be favored.
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Details – Distinctive features, finishes and construction techniques or examples of artisanship that characterize a property should be treated with respect.
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Repairs – Features that have made a property unique and recognizable should be repaired when they have deteriorated, rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature should match the old in design, color, texture and other visual qualities and, where possible, material. Replacement of missing features should be substantiated by documentary, physical or pictorial evidence.
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Surface Cleaning – Chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblasting, that cause damage to historic materials are not favored. The surface cleaning of structures, if appropriate, should be undertaken using the gentlest means possible.
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Alterations – New additions, exterior alterations or related new construction should not destroy any historic materials that characterize a property. The new work shall be compatible with the size, scale and architectural features that protect the characteristic integrity of the property and its environment.
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Signage – Signs play an important role in how a business is initially perceived. Not only are they a marketing tool, but they also set the appearance from a roadway. Signage should project an atmosphere that is welcoming and inviting to members of the community and visitors. Consistent signage adds to the character of the area in which it is placed, and should be considered a unifying factor in Millvale. Lighting should be external, using spotlights directed onto the sign.
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DEADLINES
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| Applications are due on a first-come first serve basis. |
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Grant amount may not exceed $500.
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Millvale Property Rehabilitation Grants are awarded on a 50-50 matching cost basis. For example, if the entire cost of your project is $1,000 or more, then you may apply for up to $500. Sweat equity may count towards your match only and will be credited at the current minimum wage (unless you are a licensed contractor). The cost of tools may not count towards the project budget.
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All applicants must be a member in good standing of the MBDC.
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Grants must be approved before work begins.
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Grants are made on a cost reimbursement basis, following application submission, design review and approval, and construction. Receipt of grant awards is contingent upon submittal of construction cost invoices. The applicant must submit to the Millvale Main Street Manager documentation that substantiates the total and final cost of the work and documentation that substantiates the work is complete.
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All work must be completed within 6 months after the grant approval date; otherwise, the grant will be forfeited. Applicants may request an extension through the Millvale Main Street Manager who will then make a recommendation to the Millvale Design Committee. The Millvale Design Committee will have the ultimate discretion to extend the time for project completion.
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A project sign identifying grant support must be displayed in a prominent location at theproject site while work is in progress.
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The MBDC has ultimate discretion for approving and distributing Property Rehabilitation Grant funds.
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The MBDC will make payment.
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Grantee understands any grant funds received is considered taxable income, and the MBDC will furnish an IRS 1099 as required by law.
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State and Local Regulations
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| All work must conform to Millvale, Allegheny County and Pennsylvania ordinances. Permits from Millvale Borough and/or permission from the property owner will be required in writing, if applicable. |
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All rehabilitation work financed in connection with the Millvale Property Rehabilitation Grant must conform to the applicable requirements of Millvale Borough codes and regulations.
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Properties will be inspected in accordance with the Code of Ordinances for Millvale Borough; work must comply with the basic health, safety, and property maintenance requirements of the International Building Code.
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Signage must comply with Millvale Borough ordinances.
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The Millvale Main Street Manager will review the application to determine application completeness, conformance, and eligibility. A site visit may be arranged if it is necessary to understand the proposed work and determine eligibility.
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Grant recipients are notified of their grant award, if any, following the meeting at which the application was reviewed.
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Awarded property owners sign the required contract and preservation agreement.
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All receipts and documentation of expenditures must be submitted with electronic photographs of the completed project no more than 6 months after the project start date.
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Grant money will be dispersed after a site inspection of the approved work is completed.
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Appropriateness of design
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Impact to the communiy
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Priority will be given to projects that will prevent, diminish or eliminate a blighted condition
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Other building improvements completed beyond those funded
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Project demonstrates collaboration/partnership
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| PAYMENT FOR WORK |
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Only after the MBDC has made a final inspection of the project will the grant payment be made.
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| The MBDC will furnish payment request forms, which must be submitted along with copies of materials receipts and/or contractor billing forms/invoices. |
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Payment requests for hired labor must show the number of hours worked the rate of pay, and deductions for taxes. Funds are distributed to the property owner, not the contractor.
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An owner cannot be reimbursed for purchase of tools or uninstalled materials.
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Matching funds and labor contributed by the owner must be spent prior to the MBDC disbursing its grant funds.
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The MBDC will resolve all disputes.
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Failure to comply with any applicable grant criteria or Local, State and / or Federal requirements will constitute a breach of the grant contract. Such a breach will result in loss of grant funds.
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