Facade & Site Improvement Program Guidelines

Objectives of Program

• Provide financial assistance to commercial and qualifying residential property owners to assist in the improvement of structures and sites for purposes of redevelopment, economic development, removal of non-conformities or removal of blight.
• Eliminate existing or potential blighting influences and their spill-over effect to adjacent properties and neighborhoods.
• Encourage an increased sense of responsibility with regard to property maintenance.
• Encourage the re-use of properties to a more appropriate and sustainable use.
• Encourage compliance with the city of Kettering Zoning Code.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be the Owner (Owner) of a property or legal designee.
• The applicants must be the fee simple owner of record; agree to use the property in a lawful manner with regard to occupancy, the Kettering Zoning Code, and the property maintenance code; be legally competent; and maintain the premises in a decent, safe and sanitary condition pursuant to applicable codes and ordinances;
• The Owner shall owe no delinquent property taxes and provide evidence that property is appropriately insured.
• The improvements subject to this grant must be located entirely within the corporate limits of the city of Kettering (the City).
• Residential projects must be located in a qualified Community Reinvestment Act area, tax increment finance district or other specially designated redevelopment area as designated in the Kettering Comprehensive Plan.
• The Owner shall agree to sign all necessary agreements, if applicable, to facilitate and provide for those economic and community development incentives associated with Community Reinvestment Areas, tax increment finance districts, and/or Community Development Block Grants.

Eligible Activities

• The City of Kettering Façade & Site Improvement Program Grant is available for exterior building façade and/or site improvements in order to bring buildings and site into conformance with the Kettering Zoning Code; removal of blight; and economic development activities. Due to the fact that financial resources are limited, availability of individual programs cannot be guaranteed.
• Eligible and Ineligible Uses of Funds
  • Funding may be used for exterior building improvements and other exterior site improvements needed, to the extent possible, bring the building and site into conformance with the city of Kettering Zoning Code such as updating or adding architectural elements, site and building lighting, landscaping, and signs. Planning and design work and permit fees may be eligible.
  • Ineligible Uses of funds include but are not limited to:
    • Exterior improvements that do not bring the building or site into conformance with the Kettering Zoning Code such as expanding parking areas beyond required parking and sign face replacement;
    • Continuation of non-conforming signs, lighting or building color;
    • Interior remodeling, redecorating or other interior improvements;
    • Purchase, refinance or leasing of capital equipment;
    • Purchase, refinance or leasing of non-capital equipment;
    • Financing or refinancing of inventory, prior repairs and purchases;
    • Financing of working capital;
    • Payment of property taxes or assessments;
    • Salaries and wages;
    • Any modifications not approved at final inspection by the city of Kettering Planning and Development Director (Director).

Terms and Amount of Grant

• The Façade and Site Improvement Program Grant is a reimbursable grant for which the Owner will be reimbursed at the successful conclusion of the project.
• The maximum amount of the grant from the City is one half of the total cost of façade and/or site improvements eligible under this program up to and not to exceed $50,000.  Funding is limited and contingent on City’s receipt of appropriated funds.

Further Information

For further details and an application please call the City Manager’s Office at 937-296-2412.