Program Guidelines

1. Eligible Properties:
Eligible commercial properties must be located within the physical boundaries of the Nokomis East Neighborhood. Only commercially zoned property is eligible. No "home-based businesses," or properties zoned residential-only will be considered or allowed. Both owner-occupied and leased properties are eligible; however, the tenant or lessee must obtain the Owner's written authorization to cause the improvements to be made.

Nokomis East Neighborhood Boundaries:

West: Cedar Avenue (Mn 77) North: Minnehaha Parkway East: Hiawatha Avenue (Mn 55) South: The Minneapolis city boundary

2. Single Property with Multiple Tenants; Single Business Spanning Multiple Properties; Single Property with Multiple Owners:
For all intents and purposes, these Grants are meant to improve an entire commercial property, and not any individual business or businesses at the exclusion of others within a property.

Properties with multiple business tenants must apply the same façade improvement principles across the entire property concurrently and as one project.

Businesses spanning more than one property must apply the façade improvements across the entire business façade at the same time. In that case, the Owner or Tenant of each affected property may apply for a separate grant covering that physical portion of the business on his or her property.

In the case of multiple Owners of a single commercial property, only one grant may be used per property.

3. Matching Requirements:
The Property Owner must match each NENA grant in full. An applicant must match $1 of his/her funds for each $1 in NENA Program funds.

4. Maximum Grant:
The NENA Commercial Facade Improvement Program will provide matching grants up to $8,000 per single business-tenant property and up to $8,000 for each additional business-tenant in a multi-tenant commercial property, up to a maximum amount of $20,000 per property. In any case, the total payment will not exceed the approved Grant amount or fifty percent (50%) of the final project cost, whichever is less. The NENA Grant will be in the form of a reimbursement, paid after project completion.

5. Professional Design Supplement:
In addition to the matching grant listed above, up to $1,000 in supplemental 1:1 matching funds may be awarded to an applicant for the use of a professional architect or architectural firm in the planning of exterior façade improvements and the application of those plans in the finished improvements. In the event that façade improvement is part of a larger project, only that portion of the fee that applies to the design of the exterior façade of an approved project plan qualifies for this supplement. Awarding of the supplemental design grant is contingent upon completion of the approved façade improvement project. All decisions of the Design Committee are final.

6. Grant Process and Priority:
Applications will be processed in the order they are received. Applications must be submitted in full before being considered. The NENA Design Committee will review completed applications monthly. Applications meeting the criteria of these guidelines will be forwarded to the Program Administrator, Housing Resource Center-Southside (HRC), a program of the Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation (GMHC).

7. Eligible Improvements:
NENA grants will only be provided for visible, "curbside appeal" exterior improvements that meet all applicable Minneapolis codes and ordinances and are consistent with NENA's Commercial Façade Design Guide. Such improvements include, but are not limited to:

8. Ineligible Improvements and Exclusions:
Generally, NENA Matching grant funds cannot be used for general repair and routine property maintenance items such as roof repairs, gutters and downspouts, paving, routine painting, and glass replacement unless part of a restoration or new installation. Ineligible improvements include, but are not limited to:

Grant funds may not be used for working capital, debt service, legal fees, or the refinancing of existing debts. Any work initiated before the applicant and GMHC have signed a Participation Agreement will not be eligible for this program.

The Nokomis East Neighborhood Association, Inc. (NENA), shall make final decisions on eligible work and design.

9. Work by Owner or Tenant:
Non-contracted project work ("sweat equity") shall not qualify for Grant funding.

10. Total Project Cost:
If the final project cost exceeds the original bid, the Grant awarded for the particular project will not change. It is the Grantee's responsibility to initially obtain the total funding necessary to complete the work. If the final project cost is less than the original bid, the grant awarded will be fifty percent (50%) of the total project costs, resulting in a lesser grant amount being provided to the project. NENA may re-allocate any unused funds to other improvement projects.

11. Project Timelines:

a) Applicants will be notified as to the acceptance or denial of their grant application.
b) Any work initiated before the applicant and GMHC have signed a Participation Agreement will not be eligible for this program.
c) All work must be completed within 180 days of the date on the Participation Agreement. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

12. Custody of Funds:
Grant funds will remain in the custody of GMHC until work is completed as determined by the NENA Design Committee and GMHC.

13. Disbursement of Funds:
NENA Grant dollars will be the last dollars paid into the project and will be paid to the property owner (two-party check) upon completion of work. Prior to authorization of payment, inspections will be performed by the City, where applicable, GMHC, and the NENA Design Committee to verify the completion of the work according to the approved project plan, design guidelines and other applicable criteria. The following items must be received by GMHC prior to disbursement of funds:

a) The final invoice from the contractor(s) and where applicable, any and all material invoices from the supplier(s) verifying that all invoices and contracts are complete.
b) Original lien waiver(s) for entire cost of work.
c) Completion certificate(s) signed by contractor(s).
d) Evidence of compliance with all required Minneapolis permits, ordinances, and codes.

14. Contracts/Permits:
Contractors, as required by Minneapolis ordinances, must obtain any necessary permits.

15. Applications:
Applications for Grants may be submitted by mail or in person to:
Nokomis East Neighborhood Association, Inc.
3000 East 50th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55417

All applications must include the following documents:

1. Completed Program Application Form;
2. A minimum of two signed and dated contractor bids for every aspect of the project requiring a separate contractor or a minimum of two General Contractor bids listing all individual subcontractors and subcontracted costs;
3. A written description of the proposed project including design sketches and/or architectural drawings;
4. Signed Contractor Acknowledgement Form(s);
5. A photograph of the property to be improved.

Nokomis East Neighborhood Association, Inc. 3000 East 50th Street Minneapolis, MN 55417 Phone: 612-724-5652 Fax: 612-724-2770 email: nena@nokomiseast.org http://www.nokomiseast.org	Housing Resource Center - Southside 3749 Cedar Avenue South Minneapolis MN 55407 Phone: 612-722-7141 Fax: 612-722-6367
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