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Facade Improvement Program
Vacant
209 East Lincoln Highway Coatesville, PA 19320 Phone: 610-380-7045 Fax: 610-380-7048 Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 - 5:00
General Information
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What is the purpose of the Program?
The purpose of the Coatesville Main Street Facade Improvement Program is an
effort to maintain and enhance the historic character of Downtown Coatesville.
All Downtown redevelopment projects are encouraged to participate in the design
review process that is mandatory for projects requesting financial assistance.
The specific purposes of the program are:
- To implement the design criteria contained herein.
- To foster civic pride and a sense of identity based on Coatesville's history
through the improved appearance of historic buildings.
- To protect existing historic buildings from deterioration and demolition.
- To maintain and enhance existing structures which have historically significant
facades and features
- To stabilize or improve the aesthetic and economic values of such buildings.
- To foster new development that is aesthetically compatible with existing
buildings and infrastructure.
- To encourage originality & creativity in design and remodeling of Downtown
buildings.
What projects are eligible for funding?
Any building owner or business owner/tenant with lease authority or authorization
from the building owner can apply for funding. The project site must be located
in the City of Coatesville. All areas of the city are eligible except for those
zoned R-1 through R-5. The following types of improvements are eligible for funding:
Exterior building repairs and improvements including:
- Exterior painting.
- Removing inappropriate or incompatible exterior finishes and materials.
- Restoring exterior finishes and materials.
- Installation of safety glass.
- Recessing / reconfiguring of existing doors and entrances.
- Repairing or replacing existing storefront window systems.
- Signs (new, repairing, replacing and removing).
- Exterior building and sign lighting, display area lighting.
- Roll-down grate and grate box removal
- Installation of electronic security systems
- Awnings; new, repairs or replacement of existing.
- Restoration or replacement of deteriorated or hazardous sidewalks.
Priority funds will be given to installation of new signage, exterior finishes, and painting. The removal of roll-down grates is encouraged thereby enhancing the appearance of the business district. Interior improvements may not be considered a part of the projects scope of work unless they are alterations needed due to changes in storefront construction.
Are there any design guidelines?
The Design Review Committee, under the established guidelines, must approve all projects. Additionally, all projects must conform to all applicable City of Coatesville ordinances and building codes.
How are projects selected for funding?
Projects to be supported will be selected based on their compatibility with the vision and goals of the Coatesville Downtown Main Street Program, the Coatesville Revitalization Plans and their impact on the business district.
How is the money disbursed?
This is a matching reimbursement program, which means that the applicant pays for the improvement and the City of Coatesville pays up to half. The amount of the match must be at least 1:1 (the applicant pays $1 and City of Coatesville pays $1) up to a maximum grant contribution of $5,000 per project. The maximum project limit may be increased based on the size of the building, the scope of the project and/or the impact on the overall improvement of the business district. Work begun and/or completed prior to the Main Street Manager’s letter of commitment is not eligible for funding. Grant funds are disbursed on a reimbursement basis and cannot be issued until the proposed project has been completed. Before a payment is made, applicants will need to submit proof that they have made final payment for all completed work. The Main Street Manager will review the completed project to determine that the actual work performed was the work approved for funding.
How does the application process work?
Interested applicants should meet with the Main Street Manager, and then complete
a preliminary application.
The Design Committee will review preliminary applications. Upon review and approval
of the Design Committee, the applicant will be asked to submit a full
application. If a preliminary application is denied, the specific reasons
for denial will be conveyed to the applicant. The applicant will have 90 days
to resubmit the application addressing the review committee’s reasons for denial.
If the committee again denies a resubmitted application, the applicant will be
required to wait for one year from the date of the second denial to submit another
application.
After preliminary acceptance and completion of Design Assistance or design review, applicants will be asked to complete a full application. Full applications include:
- Illustrations of the proposed work or architectural drawings
- Photos of the site and its relationship to adjoining sites
- Color samples and texture of finish materials
- Landscaping plans, where applicable
- Contractor proposals (A minimum of two contractor proposals is required. At the discretion of the Main Street Manager additional contractor proposals may be requested)
- All building construction plans as may be required by the Code Official.
The Main Street Manager will review the full application for completeness and compliance and will provide a recommendation to the Design Committee within 14 days of receiving a completed application. Every effort will be made to speed the process.
The Design Committee will review the proposed plan based on the established criteria. They may choose to interview the applicant if they feel it is necessary for clarification purposes. The committee shall complete its review within fourteen (14) days of the receipt of the completed application and make a recommendation within seven (7) days thereafter. If the committee is unable to process the application they may ask for an extension.
The Design Committee’s recommendation shall be issued in writing and state the reason(s) for approval or rejection. If the application is rejected, the applicant may request a reconsideration of the application if the reasons for denial are sufficiently addressed. A request for reconsideration must be filed with the Main Street Manager within 30 days after receipt of the denial notice. The Main Street Manager may grant an extension of this time period if extenuating circumstances exist.
Following review and approval of the full application by the Design Committee the application will be screened for compliance with all necessary city and other applicable regulations (a 5- to 10-day process which may be extended by the necessary code compliance review), the applicant will receive a letter of commitment from the Main Street Manager’s Office stating the rebate amount and terms of the agreement. This agreement must be signed by the applicant. The applicant can then obtain the necessary building permits and any other applicable review processes. Funds will be released to the applicant upon review of completed work to verify that the work carried out is in accordance with the work approved by the Main Street Manager, and upon submission of documentation showing all contractors have been paid in full.
What is the City of Coatesville Design Assistance Program?
The City of Coatesville will assist the business owner or building owner with developing concepts related to their proposed project. Assistance will be made available through City staff or knowledgeable volunteers.
What happens after a project is selected for funding?
Work selected for a matching reimbursement must be completed within 6 months of approval of the application, unless the Main Street Manager grants an extension. The applicant is responsible for obtaining all approvals, building permits and any other required permits for the work to be done. The applicant is responsible for conformance with all applicable safety standards and conditions. The applicant also agrees to maintain the property and all funded improvements.
The Coatesville Main Street Program reserves the right to promote an approved project including, but not limited to displaying a Main Street logo on the building, both during and after construction, and using photographs and descriptions of the project in Main Street materials.
The Main Street Program and the City of Coatesville reserve the right to make changes in the conditions of the Facade Improvement Program as warranted.
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