To read the full program and design guidelines, or if you wish to fill out an application, please view the PDF's below:
Programs
Corridor Storefront Improvement Program (CSIP)
Program Overview
ELIGIBILTY
The CSIP is targeted to ground floor commercial storefronts located directly on Main Street and State Street. To determine if your building, use or location qualifies, please contact the CSIP project manager.
Grant applications will be accepted and screened for basic compliance (i.e., location, property use, intended improvements, and the like). Qualifying and completed applications will then be evaluated on their relative merits and relative to other applications, with a periodic (not less than quarterly) review and decision making process. The greater the fulfillment of CSIP goals, the greater the likelihood of receiving an award. Therefore, the eligibility references below are guidelines which will impact the relative evaluation of an application and are not absolute standards or requirements.
Types of Eligible Businesses:
- Ground-floor commercial establishments conducting retail and wholesale trade.
- Service establishments including professional offices; personal services such as dry cleaning or beauty salons; and other business services such as printing, and the like.
The following properties and/or uses are not eligible:
- Properties and/or storefronts not located directly on Main and State Streets and in CSIP-designated business improvement areas.
- New construction.
- Residential Properties. CSIP grants will be for commercial storefront activity on ground floor property only.
Applications may be submitted by property owners and/or tenants, but the property owner must provide permission for the work and agree to maintenance of the property following the grant-assisted work.
GRANTS
Grants of up to $10,0001 may be awarded to fund the cost of eligible renovations. The applicant must provide a 25% match to the grant funds, and provide evidence of financial capacity for the match portion (Example: If the CSIP grant request is for $10,000 the applicant must provide a minimum 25%, or $2,500, for a total project cost of at least $12,500).
The applicant’s match may be from the applicant’s own funds or other financial aid (grant or loan) received from other agencies and/or banks. Such funding must, however, be documented.
Grant funds will be released upon successful completion of the project; and submission of a project cost reconciliation; evidence of payment to all associated vendors including architects, contractors and the like; and submission of approved receipts for materials and services. In-kind services do not qualify as match or as approved project costs.
1Grants up to $20,000 may be provided for projects that involve more extensive facade improvements work subject to the sole discretion of the DevelopSpringfield and will require of 25% match of the approved grant amount.
ELIGIBLE STOREFRONT REHABILITATION IMPROVEMENTS
Projects eligible for CSIP grants are intended to finance exterior physical property improvements. Grant applications will be reviewed on their individual merits and relative to other grant applications, in order to create the largest possible impact within the pool of funds. Grant applications that meet more of the eligible criteria and of CSIP priorities will therefore have a stronger relative standing. Eligible expenditures include:
- Improved or refurbished exteriors, including restoration of finishes; compatible reconstruction of adjacent storefronts; repair or replacement of facade materials.
- Repair of architectural detailing.
- Repair or replacement of storefront windows, window framing and doors.
- Appropriate exterior cleaning, masonry repair and repainting. Paint removal if appropriate to expose underlying stone or brick materials.
- Removal of false fronts, siding and materials that cover architectural details.
- Removal (or conversion) of solid roll-down grates
- Installation of open-wire mesh grates installed on the interior of the storefront with the mechanical systems are concealed
- Improved exterior lighting including display window lighting.
- Removal of inappropriate or unattractive signage; installation of attractive awning and signage.
- Improvement of ground surface between door and sidewalk.
- Installation of attractive landscaping features including plantings, fencing and the like.
- Payment of reasonable design consultant and professional service fees.
INELIGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS
The following improvements are not eligible for CSIP funding
- Maintenance-type improvements such as roofing, paving, electrical, and structural upgrade improvements, as these do not increase the attractiveness or accessibility of a store-front location.
- Interior rehabilitation.
- Operating capital.
- Financing of personal property or equipment.
- Debt refinancing.
- Improvements made prior to grant approval.
DESIGN ASSISTANCE
DevelopSpringfield, in partnership with the Springfield Office of Planning and Economic Development will be available to provide limited design assistance to program participants. However, whenever possible, a design professional should be hired by the applicant to produce an attractive project.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The following criteria must be met for participation in the program:
- Applicants must be property owners or commercial tenants whose storefronts face onto Main Street or State Street within CSIP-designated business improvement areas.
- Property owners and tenants must be current on all municipal taxes.
- Applicants must comply with all state and local laws and regulations pertaining to licensing, permits, building code and zoning requirements.
- Applicants must complete the application and submit drawings and project details sufficient to define the project and its costs.
- Applicants for building(s) with multiple storefronts are strongly encouraged to prepare a joint application, although grants within the broader application may be awarded on a storefront by storefront basis to support the project cost and ensure a consistent quality of work and design continuity. This approach will also reduce the cost per storefront by having shared design costs and the like, benefitting the applicants.
- Work must be conducted by properly licensed contractors or appropriate business professional to ensure quality of work and compliance with appropriate regulations.
- Applicants are responsible for obtaining bids, selecting the contractor(s) and completing any agreement with the contractor(s) to carry out the work. DevelopSpringfield does not have
a list of approved vendors and will not make recommendations in that regard.
