Commercial Rehabilitation Rebate Program (CRRP)

Delhi Charter Township Downtown Development Authority

Commercial Rehabilitation Rebate Program

DELHI CHARTER TOWNSHIP

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

COMMERCIAL REHABILITATION REBATE PROGRAM

GUIDELINES

  This program is designed to support private investment and promote beautification of the DDA District. The Program Guidelines are intended to target assistance to improvement projects that render a positive visual impact and to ensure fairness in the allocation of funds.

 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The DDA will rebate 50% of the combined total cost of eligible improvements for building rehabilitation and landscaping of eligible buildings (please note that some improvements fall within categories which have set maximum CRRP subsidy levels). The maximum rebate amount paid by the DDA may not exceed $20,000 for each commercial property (this is based a total of $40,000 of eligible improvements being paid by the applicant) during the five year period following the first disbursal of funds to the applicant under the CRRP. 

Exception for certain projects: At the sole discretion of the DDA’s Beautification Committee, a rebate of up to $50,000 may be allowed for eligible improvements under the following circumstances:

 

  1. The applicant is expending at least $500,000 on all property improvements (eligible or not eligible) on an existing building located in the DDA District, with at least $100,000 to be expensed on CRRP eligible improvements: or
  2. The applicant is constructing a new building within the DDA District and is expending at least $1 million on all property improvements (eligible or not eligible), with at least $100,000 to be expended on CRRP eligible improvements; or
  3. The applicant is acquiring and developing DDA-owned parcels and is expending at least $100,000 on CRRP eligible improvements.

 

In all cases, a maximum rebate of $1,000 each may be allowed for 50% of architectural and/or landscape design fees (therefore allowing for a maximum rebate of $2,000 total for design fees eligible for the rebate calculation).    

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:   Eligible applicants are building owners or tenants of Commercial buildings or buildings zoned “Town Center” within the Downtown Development Authority District of Delhi Township and include non-profit organizations that are assessed property taxes. Property taxes (real, personal and special assessments) must be paid current in order for all Commercial, Town Center, and non-profit organizations to qualify for this program.

ELIGIBLE BUILDINGS:  Any existing Commercial or Town Center zoned building in the DDA District is eligible for CRRP funding.  New construction and building additions are not eligible for assistance with the exception of the following improvements: dumpster enclosure, landscaping, parking, signage, and exterior security improvements.

PROJECT FINANCING:     Applicant must pay 100% of the cost of the Eligible Improvements by financing through a business loan or by cash prior to the CRRP funding disbursement.

DESIGN GUIDELINES:  Eligible Improvements approved for the CRRP must comply with all Delhi Township Land Use Ordinances.  Most projects will require a building permit and some may require site plan approval by the Delhi Township Planning Commission.

DDA DISCRETION:  The DDA Board reserves the right to terminate or extend this program at any time at its discretion. Funding for this program shall be limited to the amounts budgeted for the program by the DDA Board each year. All applications with total costs estimated to be excess of $5,000 shall be reviewed by a Beautification Committee consisting of 3 DDA members. The Beautification Committee has total discretion to prioritize and select successful projects/applicants within the budget approved by the DDA Board for projects estimated to cost in excess of $5,000.

In the case of applications with total project costs estimated to be $5,000 or less, the review and approval function described above may be performed by the DDA staff. A report will be presented on the project to the Beautification Committee at the committee’s next meeting for all projects approved by staff in accordance within this section of the guidelines.

In all cases, applicants are advised that only those expenses included in the approved CRRP application will be eligible for the 50% rebate. Any costs in excess of those included in the approved CRRP application will be ineligible unless a written waiver is granted by the DDA Executive Director prior to the completion of the work for which extra rebate compensation is sought. Additional costs presented after the conclusion of the project for a rebate in the absence of this written waiver will not be approved.

PLEASE NOTE: THE DDA OFFICE MUST RECEIVE THE CRRP APPLICATION 

BEFORE CONSTRUCTION COMMENCES TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING.


ELIGIBLE EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS  – 50% Rebate unless otherwise noted:

a.  Alternative energy devices such as solar panels, windmills and other similar installations. Equipment must be located on the exterior of the parcel (maximum $10,000 rebate subsidy)

b.   Awnings

c.   Demolition (only when completed in combination with other visible Eligible Improvements)

d.   Doors, doorways, and/or entryways (rear doorways/entryways $10,000 maximum subsidy)

e.   Dumpster enclosure

f.    Exterior siding and surfaces, soffits

g.   Façade

h.   Fencing

i.    Handicap accessibility

j.    Landscaping – screening & decorative, permanent materials only

k.   Painting

l.    Parking lot – new pavement only (ineligible item f below) maximum $5,000 in CRRP subsidy)

m.  Roof Repairs (maximum $10,000 in CRRP subsidy)

n.   Security improvements-exterior only (maximum $5,000 in CRRP subsidy)

o.   Signage

p.   Walkways

q.   Window replacement (only front and/or side elevations of the building)

    

INELIGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS:

a.   Additions

b.   Any item for which the applicant pays the contractor in services or merchandise

c.   Fees: Attorney, Ingham County, State of Michigan, any Delhi Township excluding permit    

d.   Items taxed as personal property

e.    New Buildings (only some improvements qualify)

f.    Parking lot sealing and patching

g.   Removable property (i.e. such as annual flower plantings)

     

OTHER PROGRAM GUIDELINES:

1. At the Beautification Committee’s discretion, an exception to any CRRP Guideline may be granted due to special circumstances or conditions.

2.  A building owner may apply for CRRP funds more than once within any five year period, provided the maximum amount of CRRP funding disbursed during this five year period for the property to be improved does not exceed $20,000. 

3.  All CRRP projects are subject to audit by Delhi Charter Township.

4. Any changes contemplated during rehabilitation must have prior authorization of the DDA Executive Director.                                                                                                                                                                                   5. Paid receipts will be verified prior to disbursement of funds and reimbursement shall not exceed the amount of the funding commitment made by the Beautification Committee.

6. The Beautification Committee may require that a portion of the total rebate be allocated for tenant signage or improvements.

7.  The Beautification Committee will re-evaluate the status of any project for which construction has not started within one year of the funding commitment date.

8.  The DDA Board reserves the right to cancel or extend the CRRP at any time, and to cancel any commitments for funding prior to construction of approved Eligible Improvements.

NOTE: A PROJECT IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING IF BEGUN PRIOR 

TO APPROVAL OF THE CRRP APPLICATION. 


APPLICATION SCHEDULE PROCESS

 

   A. The applicant submits the application and other appropriate paperwork after reviewing the Program Guidelines.

Items to be submitted to the DDA office include:

            a. CRRP application                               b. Project design plan or drawing

            c.  Cost Estimates/bids                            d. Copy of company W-9 

 

     B. A minimum of two (2) bids is required for each project cost.

     C. Tax payer identification information (W-9) is required as part of the application process.

     D. All application materials must be received at the DDA office no later than the 15th day of each month for         Beautification Committee review on the last Tuesday of each month if the project exceeds $5,000.   

     E.  Following a favorable review, the DDA Beautification Committee (or the DDA staff, if applicable) makes a funding commitment. Funds are earmarked for the project from the yearly program budget. The applicant will be notified of the approval or disapproval by email, telephone or regular mail.

     F. After the project is completed, the applicant submits copies of paid receipts or check copies to the DDA office. Per Township auditing requirements, DDA staff will provide independent certification from vendors that all payments have been made. For projects with estimated costs greater than $5,000, a final report will be prepared for the Beautification Committee summarizing actual expenses for the Beautification Committee’s approval at the committee’s next meeting .This report will be provided to the Beautification Committee as an information item for those projects with costs of $5,000 or less.   

  G. For projects costing in excess of $5,000, payment of the rebate will be made after authorization by the Beautification Committee. No authorization by the committee will be required for disbursement of funds to applicants with projects costing $5,000 or less.

   H.  The Beautification Committee authorizes disbursement of funds in excess of $5,000.

   I.   Funds will be disbursed to the applicant and/or lender by the DDA after all vendor payment certifications are received.

   J.   The necessary paperwork is submitted to the Township Accounting Department for payment.

  K.   The Township Accounting Department will send payment to the mailing address on record.

 

Revised 4/16/2012