Facade Grant Program Guidelines

Program Overview

The City of Orangeburg Facade Grant Program has been designed to encourage enhancement and investment to the revitalization efforts of Downtown Orangeburg. This program provides financial and technical assistance to downtown property and/or business owners for the purpose of Facade improvements that adhere to the Facade Grant Program Guidelines.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include owners of commercial properties and owners/managers of businesses located in the Historic Downtown Orangeburg District within the City of Orangeburg. Business owners/managers who are leasing a building, for which improvements are proposed, must submit an Owner Consent Form with their completed application. Only businesses whose existing use is allowable by the City’s current codes and regulations are eligible for funding through the program. The City reserves the right to deny funding to applicants who are delinquent on payment of taxes, fines, fees, or licenses. Applicants have a waiting period of two years from a successfully completed project to apply for a second grant and will be considered only after new applicants have been considered. A second award at this point is the final award in this program. Under no circumstances will work be looked at as a continuation of an existing project, and all work from the original grant awarded must show it has been maintained.

Eligible Expenditures

Expenditures eligible for reimbursement include those solely related to exterior building improvements (cosmetic and/or structural) that address the following design elements as outlined by the Facade Guidelines:

Signage
Awnings
Lighting
Storefront and Windows
Historic Details

Nontraditional styles will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Fees for architects, engineers or other design consultants are also eligible expenditures not exceeding 5% of the overall project cost. Any engineered or architectural drawings must be completed by licensed professionals.

Funding Levels

The program provides a one-time reimbursement grant for projects in three tiers:

Tier I: Addresses one design element or architectural planning and grant total must not exceed $5,000
Tier II: Addresses two or more design elements and grant total is more than $5,000 but must not exceed $15,000
Tier III: Addresses three or more design elements and grant total is more than $15,000 but must not exceed $25,000

Funding Match

Tier I: No match required
Tier II: 15% match required
Tier III: 25% match required

Application Process

Eligible applicants are encouraged to request an informal review of the project by program administrator prior to submitting a completed application. Complete application packages will be accepted on a rolling basis until funding has been exhausted. At this time the City of Orangeburg has committed $50,000 to Tier I projects and $250,000 to Tier II & III projects.
Application Package must include the following or will not be considered:
o Completed Application
o Photographs of existing building and site
o Plans and/or elevations of proposed improvements
o Detailed description of materials including color schemes
o Detailed cost estimates/bids for proposed improvements
o Property Owner Consent Form (only if applicant is not the property owner)
Following review of the application package, applicants will receive written notification stating whether the application was approved as submitted, approved with changes, or disapproved within 30 days of the application.
Program administrator has the authority to request modifications of a proposed design to ensure the appearance of the site or building will be in compliance with the design guidelines.
Program administrator reserves the right to request further information from the applicant and/or visit the applicant’s property to evaluate the merit of applicant’s proposed improvements.
All applications must be approved in writing prior to the commencement of work.

General Requirements

All work must be done in accordance with any applicable design guidelines, all applicable local, state and federal codes, rules and regulations.
All records supporting the costs and components of program-assisted improvements shall be maintained for a period not less than three (3) years following completion of the program agreement period, agreement termination, or default, whichever shall first occur.
Applicants must adhere to all City of Orangeburg building codes and regulations including business licenses and building permits.
Applicants agree to place a Facade Grant Program Recipient sign at the construction site throughout the project and for a minimum of 180 days upon completion of the project.

Distribution of Grant Funds

Reimbursements - All assistance is on a reimbursement basis following completion of the project.

The total reimbursement for all forms of facade improvement assistance shall not exceed the total award amount as deemed by approved application. Applicants who are approved for funding must document all expenditures and provide the program administrator with proof of payment to include receipts, paid invoices and copies of canceled checks for all eligible improvements within 30 days of completion. All contractors must have current City Business Licenses before work begins. Failure to do so may void your grant and/or delay payment. Tier I and Tier II work must be completed within 180 days of the grant award. Tier III projects are to submit a timeline for approval. Once construction is complete, the program administrator and City Building Official will visit the project to ensure that it complies with the approved
plans and that building inspections have been completed. The applicant will then be provided with a one-time reimbursement for the approved amount. Reimbursement checks will be issued by the City of Orangeburg.

Default & Remedies

Default - A recipient shall be considered in default and the balance of financial assistance immediately due and payable upon failure to properly maintain the facade after improvements are completed, delinquent property taxes, or failure to operate in compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal codes, laws, and regulations for a period of two years of the date the grant was awarded.
Remedies of Default - The City may take whatever action by law, or in equity, as may appear necessary or desirable to collect any outstanding balance or to enforce the performance and observation of any other obligation or agreement of the recipient.

Facade Grant Area Map

Documents

For More Information, Please Contact:

sidney.evering@orangeburg.sc.us

linda.mcdaniel@orangeburg.sc.us

City of Orangeburg Administration
(803) 533-6000

You are here