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Business Improvement Grant Program Application

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  2. City of Oak Forest Masthead

  4. PURPOSE OF THE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM

    The Business Improvement Grant Program replaces the previous Façade Improvement Grant program and offers a wider expansion of potential eligible projects and grant funding opportunities. 

    HOW MUCH IS THE GRANT?

    The maximum grant amount that may be awarded is up to 50% percent of the total project cost, dependent on fund availability. Grants shall be limited to a maximum of $50,000 per building within any three-year period. Though the City Council may approve a grant exceeding $50,000 if it has an exceptional public benefit. 

    IS MY PROJECT ELIGIBLE?

    To be considered eligible for a grant, the building or property must be used for commercial or industrial purposes. 

             (a)   Installation, repair and replacement of exterior exit doors to provide public access, meet current building and fire codes, and/or improve the overall appearance of the building;

             (b)   Painting of the exterior of the building;

             (c)   Repair, replacement or addition of exterior shutters and awnings, except for backlit and/or plastic awnings;

             (d)   Repair and replacement of signs;

             (e)   Repair, replacement and installation of exterior stairs, porches, railings, and exit facilities;

             (f)   Repair and rebuilding of exterior walls, including cleaning, sealing, tuck-pointing, painting and the like;

             (g)   Repair of windows, frames, sills, glazing, replacement of glass, and installation of new windows;

             (h)   Repair or construction of cornices;

             (i)   Repair, installation, replacement or addition of any other improvement the city administrator or their designee deems appropriate;

              (j)    Interior compliance to meet requirements such as building, accessibility, and fire codes;

              (k)   Interior additions within the intent of the Business Improvement Grant; and

             (l)   Landscaping and streetscape improvements including, but not limited to brick pavers, lighting and furnishings.

    WHAT IF MY PROJECT IS NOT LISTED?

    If the project you have in mind is not listed above, it may still be considered an eligible grant project. The city is open to unique projects on a case-by-case basis if the purpose of the grant is met. However, certain items or costs which may not be included as part of any grant request and are ineligible for the reimbursement are listed below:

          (a)   Building permit fees and related costs;

             (b)   Extermination of insects, rodents, vermin and other pests;

             (c)   Title reports and legal fees;

             (d)   Acquisition of land or buildings; 

             (e)     Parking lots; and

             (f)    Work completed prior to grant approval;

    WHAT IS THE APPLICATION & REVIEW PROCESS?

    1. Meet with the Community Development Department staff to discuss your project.
    2. To apply, complete the Business Improvement Grant Application in its entirety.
    3. Gather all required submittal materials as listed on the application.
    4. Consult with staff to determine if your proposed improvements are considered a minor design review permit or a major design review permit. Minor design review permits, or projects of a minor scope of work, require approval staff approval. Major design review permits, or projects with more substantive improvements, require Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) approval.
    5. If a design review permit is required, request your architect or contractor to prepare materials as required for these permits. Refer to the Design Review Guide for details and examples of acceptable documents.
    6. Submit all materials to the Community Development Department.
    7. Coordinate with staff to complete public review by the PZC, Economic Advisory Council (EAC), and City Council, as required.
    8. Upon final grant approval by City Council, commence work.
    9. Upon completion of the project, submit required documentation for reimbursement.

    If your project meets the eligibility requirements listed above, file a complete Business Improvement Grant Application with all of the required submittal materials listed on the application. Once the application is considered complete by staff, design review by the PZC may be required. If so, the project is reviewed by the PZC for compliance with the city’s design review standards. The PZC may propose changes to the project. The PZC meets the first and third Wednesday of the month.

    After any PZC requested changes are made to the project, the EAC reviews the project, the scope of work, and the bids, and makes a recommendation to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the application. The EAC meets the first Wednesday of every month. After the EAC makes a recommendation, a draft resolution, grant agreement, and restrictive covenant are forwarded to the City Council for a final determination. If approved, the grant agreement and restrictive covenant must be recorded by you as the applicant with Cook County. Permits may then be filed with the Building Department to begin work.

    WHEN DO I GET MY REIMBURSEMENT?

    A reimbursement check is issued to the applicant when:

    1. The recorded and signed grant agreement and restrictive covenant are returned to the Community Development Department, 
    2. The work requiring permits has passed all inspections by the Building Department, and
    3. A proof of payment to the contractor has been submitted to the Community Development Department.

    WHAT IS THE RESTRICTIVE COVENANT?

    In the event that the owner of the building sells, transfers or conveys the property within five years after the date upon which any funds have been released from the Business Improvement Grant, the owner, or his or her successor, shall reimburse the city for the funds then released, to the date of sale, transfer or conveyance, from the Business Improvement Grant in accordance with the following sliding scale [§32.449(D)(5)].

    Year of Sale

    Sliding Recapture Scale

    Up to one year

    100%

    Up to two years

    80%

    Up to three years

    60%

    Up to four years

    40%

    Up to five years

    20%

  38. Applicant Information
  43. The Proposed Improvements

  45. Name, phone, and email of the developer/contractor, engineer, architect, other

  47. Describe in narrative format the scope of work and the intent of project. 

  49. Total cost of the project including eligible and ineligible expenses.

  50. This can be a maximum of 50% of the total eligible project costs with a max of $50,000.

  52. In a Word or Excel document list the itemized costs and then the total cost of the project. Can be somewhat broad.

  54. Can be found on a plat of survey or likely here as well: https://crs.cookcountyclerkil.gov/Search

  67. We hereby request consideration of our Class 6/8 Tax Incentive Application and ask that the City of Oak Forest support our reduced assessed valuation.  We have read and agreed to the general conditions for a 6/8 application request and certify that all statements and information supplied is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.

  69. AGREEMENT:  By signing this Electronic Signature Acknowledgment Form, I agree that my electronic signature is the legally binding equivalent to my handwritten signature. Whenever I execute an electronic signature, it has the same validity and meaning as my handwritten signature. I will not, at any time in the future, repudiate the meaning of my electronic signature or claim that my electronic signature is not legally binding.

    Electronic Signature:

  74. Legal Signature:*

    I understand that checking this box constitutes a legal signature confirming that I acknowledge and warrant the truthfulness of the information provided in this document.

    75. Leave This Blank:

  77. This field is not part of the form submission.