Grant Application Criteria

Redevelopment Incentive Grant Program

Funding for this program is provided by the City of Topeka and administered by Downtown Topeka, Inc.

Summary and Criteria of Program

INTRODUCTION

The Downtown Topeka Redevelopment Incentive Grant Program is a financial incentive that is designed to encourage commercial and residential improvements of buildings for future use in the Downtown Business Improvement District (DBID). Grants are awarded as reimbursement for actual funds spent up to the limits provided below. Grant applications will be considered on a first come, first serve basis according to the date and time of application until funds are exhausted for the calendar year. Funding for this program is provided by the City of Topeka and administered by Downtown Topeka, Inc. Applications will be reviewed by the Downtown Topeka Redevelopment Grant Committee (Grant Committee). The Grant Committee consists of members appointed by Downtown Topeka, Inc. Board of Directors and DTI staff.

ELIGIBLE APPLICATIONS

Any person who owns or leases real real property located in the DBID described below is eligible to apply for grants to improve real estate (the Project) under Grant Program. Eligible individuals (including tenants and owners of real estate) are referred to as Applicant. However, if the Applicant does not have an ownership interest in real property, then the owner of the property must join in the application and execute all documents required for grant approval.

GUIDELINES AND LIMITATIONS

Residential

Grants for units will be limited to 25% of the Project costs up to a maximum of $10,000 for each residential unit.
No more than three grants for residential units will be allow for each individual building project or address.
The Grant Committee reserves the right to determine if the Project is subject to this limitation.

Commercial

Grants for a commercial project will be limited to 25% of the Project costs up to a maximum of $50,000 per project or address.
The Grant Committee reserves the right to determine if the Project is subject to this limitation.

Facade

Facade improvement grants have up to $5,000 maximum awarded for 25′ fronts and $10,000 maximum for 50′ fronts.
The Grant Committee reserves the right to determine if the Project is subject to this limitation.

The Grant Committee, in its discretion, may allow the funding of certain building improvements and may disallow certain building improvements submitted in an application depending on its evaluation of the condition of the property and the effect of the proposed improvements on the surrounding area.

Generally, applications for grants must be submitted and approved before the Applicant commences work on the Project. However, the Grant Committee may approve grant funding for a part or all of an ongoing project provided the application is submitted at least 30 days before the Project is completed.

This Grant Program will be administered as a reimbursement program unless the Grant Committee approves a different procedure. Generally, grant payments will be made upon receipt from the Applicant of an application for payment itemizing the improvements for which reimbursement is requested.

If an Applicant whose Project includes a commercial business and who has received grants fails to remain in businesses at the property where grant money was invested for a minimum period of three years, the Grant Committee reserves the right to require reimbursement to the City of Topeka for the full amount of all grants received for the project.

An Applicant whose Project includes a residential living unit must make every reasonable effort to rent the unit, and until doing so, must maintain the unit in good, tenantable condition and available for occupancy at reasonable rental rates during this 3-year period. If an Applicant fails to fulfill this requirement, the Grant Committee reserves the right to require reimbursement to the City of Topeka for the full amount of all grants received for the project.

This program is not intended to award grants for maintenance of existing business unless specifically approved by the Grant Committee.

PROGRAM BOUNDARIES

The Grant Program is offered for redevelopment projects within the Capital City Business Improvement District (BID), which is bound by the intersection of Southwest 12th Street and the alley between Topeka Boulevard and Tyler Street, thence northerly in a meander along the alley between Topeka Boulevard and Tyler Street to its intersection with Southwest 2nd Street, thence easterly along Southwest 2nd Street to its intersection with South Kansas Avenue, thence northerly along South Kansas Avenue and North Kansas Avenue to its intersection with the Kansas River, thence easterly in a meander along the river to its intersection with Adams Street extended, thence southerly along Adams Street to its intersection with the Missouri Pacific Railroad right-of-way, thence southwesterly to its intersection with Southeast 13th Street, thence westerly in a meander along Southeast 13th Street and Southwest 13th Street to its intersection with Southwest Jackson Street, thence northerly along Southwest Jackson Street to its intersection with Southwest 12th Street, thence westerly along Southwest 12th to the point of beginning.

BASIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for the Grant Program, the building renovations and site improvements must be permanent in nature.
The Grant Committee will generally not approve projects for routine on-going building maintenance (including roof repairs) to buildings, which contain operating business operations and those which are fully occupied. However, the Grant Committee will consider applications for facade repair or replacement in buildings, which either contain on-going businesses or otherwise are occupied. In no event will the Grant Committee approve grants for personal property, furniture, trade fixtures or equipment such as kitchen equipment, and the Grant Committee will have the discretion to determine if certain fixtures and trade fixtures are considered eligible for grant funding.
Other items may be allowed at the discretion of the Grant Committee.
No application will be approved and no Applicant will be eligible to receive grant funds unless all Shawnee County real estate, personal property or BID taxes associated with the property to be improved are current as of the date the grant payments are made, and the Applicant has no other outstanding obligations to the City of Topeka. The committee reserves the right to waive this requirement if an above stated issue is under appeal.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Applications must be submitted before work on the Project is started. The Grant Committee will have the discretion to review an application and award a grant after construction has begun, provided the application is submitted no later than 30 days before the end of construction.
Upon accepting a grant, the Applicant is required to demonstrate measurable progress toward completion of the renovation within 90 days from the date of the Grant Participation Contract is fully executed by all parties. If no significant progress of the renovation can be demonstrated by 180 days following the date of full execution of this contract, the grant may be revoked, unless suitable arrangements have been made and approved by the Grant Committee.
Applicants must provide proof that all contractors retained to work on the project have appropriate licenses and insurance including general liability and workers compensation insurance.
Grant applicant must sign and comply with the terms of the ADA Compliance Certification.
Any departure from the criteria set forth in this Grant Program description must be approved by the Grant Committee and ratified by the Downtown Topeka, Inc. Executive Committee.