Façade Program - Fy03 Cdbg Program

Town of Hudson Issued 08/10/07

FAÇADE PROGRAM - FY07 CDBG PROGRAM Summary Information

Total Town Grant Award: $100,000 The Town of Hudson has received $100,000 in FY07 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to enable the town to implement a Commercial Façade Improvement Program for certain areas of the Downtown. Of that $100,000, a total of $89,250 will be made available to fund "grants" for property owners and local businesses on a competitive basis. The remainder of $10,750 will be spent on program implementation to hire a part- time rehabilitation specialist. The type of grant is known as a "deferred payment no- interest loan." The no-interest loan is amortized over a ten year period. Property owners will not make payments but will be required to repay the remaining amount of the loan if the property is sold within ten (10) years. After the ten year period, the loan converts automatically to a grant and no repayment is required whatsoever. Target Goals of Program: 4-7 Major Facades The actual number of grants awarded will depend on the type and cost of projects approved for funding.

Applicant Match: 100% CDBG Match (50% of total project costs)

For the initial round of applications, the maximum grant awards will be $35,000. The table below provides examples of required applicant match:

CDBG Grant Actual Total Project Cost Required Amount Applicant Applicant Match Match % $35,000 $35,000 $70,000 50%

Eligibility: Buildings in "Blight Target Area" & classified as being in "Fair to Poor" Condition

Priority in the initial round of funding will be given to projects whose buildings are in Fair to Poor condition. The Town conducted a buildings condition survey prior to submitting this grant to DHCD. A list of properties and their condition classification is available at the Executive Assistant's Office. Priority will also be given to projects that will yield the greatest visual and aesthetic improvement on the Downtown.

DCHD approved the Town's submitted "Blight Target Area." Blight Target Area maps are also available at the Executive Assistant's Office. The Target area is generally described below. Contact: Michelle Ciccolo Town Hall (978) 562-9963 phone Page 1 of 5 Executive Assistant's Office 78 Main Street (978) 568-9641 fax 3rd Floor Hudson, MA 01749 [email protected] Town of Hudson Issued 08/10/07

Target Area: See Also Blight Target Area Map

Beginning at the Town of Hudson rotary at its intersection with Washington Street, continuing Easterly on Main Street until Main intersects with Broad Street. The target area then turns Southerly onto Broad until its intersection with the Assabet River; Thence, turning Westerly and following the river until it meets Washington Street where it turns Northerly until it reaches the point of beginning at the Rotary. All buildings within this area are incorporated.

The following adjacent parcels, contingent to the general description outlined above are also incorporated into the blight target area: As shown on Assessor’s Map 29 as parcel numbers 94,95,96, 116 and 117 on the Northerly part of the target area where Felton Street and the Main Street /Rotary intersect; Map 29, including parcels 317, 164, 165 and 166 on the Northerly part of where Main and Broad Street intersect; Map 29, parcels 246 and 247, and Map 40, parcel 122, South of the Assabet River by Houghton Street.

Eligible Activities: Improvements to Building Exteriors Only

No CDBG funds may be spent on interior building improvements. Only new projects will be considered and grants can not be approved for construction that is currently underway. Grants are for existing buildings only. In general, the following rehabilitation projects and activities may be undertaken with grant funds: Architectural Design (in conjunction with a construction project), Signs, Awnings, Siding, Windows, Doors, Paint, Brick cleaning and re-pointing, Chimneys, Steps and entryways, Handrails, Fire Escapes, and other visible building exterior improvements. In some rare instances, eligible costs may include roof work, parking areas, fencing, and landscaping.

General Timeline: November 1, 2007 - Application Deadline December 1, 2007 - First round of grant awards January-March - Bid specification & permitting March-June - Construction Start July- Possible 2nd round of applications

Other Information: Silas Felton Historic District

The Blight Target Area is entirely within the Silas Felton Historic District. All façade projects must be approved by the Town's Historic District Commission (HDC) prior to commencing work on the building.

Contact: Michelle Ciccolo Town Hall (978) 562-9963 phone Page 2 of 5 Executive Assistant's Office 78 Main Street (978) 568-9641 fax 3rd Floor Hudson, MA 01749 [email protected] Town of Hudson Issued 08/10/07

Bidding: Contractor Selection / Bid Specifications

Because of the use of Federal HUD Funds, State Prevailing Wage Rates and Davis Bacon Wage Rates apply (whichever are higher). There are additional procurement procedures that must be observed. The Town is responsible for ensuring that all contractor selection, mandatory insurance, work performance standards, and wage provisions are followed. For that reason, the Town will assist applicants in developing bid specifications and in advertising each façade project through the use of a Rehabilitation Specialist who is familiar with this kind of construction work. Although you may not pre-select your chosen contractor, you can suggest that your contractor bid on the job. Generally, you must utilize the low bidder. However, you have the option of using a bidder who is not the low bidder if you pay for the difference in cost between the low-bid and the selected bidder.

Flood Plain Projects within the Flood Plain

Any property owner approved for funding of a project within the 100 year flood plain will be required to furnish flood insurance at an amount at least equal to the project cost. Full property flood insurance is advisable and preferable.

Owner vs. Tenant Can Tenants Apply?

Any business owner wishing to upgrade his or her façade who does not own the building, will be required to obtain permission from the property owner / landlord. In these instances, the building owner will be required to sign application forms and documents committing to repay the loan / grant funds in the event he or she sells the property prior to the ten-year period.

Application: Application Forms

All prospective grantees will be required to submit a complete application and supporting documentation prior to the noted deadline. Applications are available at the Office of the Executive Assistant. For questions or assistance in filling out these forms, please contact Michelle Ciccolo at (978) 562-9963.

Project Selection: Selection by Committee; Ranking According to Goals

A Project Selection Committee will be formed. It will consist of a member from the HDC, a member of the Downtown Roundtable of the Chamber of Commerce, a representative from the Hudson Building Department and a representative from the Hudson Community Development Department. The Committee will jointly review all

Contact: Michelle Ciccolo Town Hall (978) 562-9963 phone Page 3 of 5 Executive Assistant's Office 78 Main Street (978) 568-9641 fax 3rd Floor Hudson, MA 01749 [email protected] Town of Hudson Issued 08/10/07

applications and rank according to the Target Goals noted throughout this document. The full Selection Criteria is outlined below:

Selection Criteria: Project Scoring System

Each project proposal is to be scored on the following criteria using a 1-4 ranking system per criteria with a "1" being "Least Advantageous" and a "4" being "Most Advantageous." Scores will then be added to obtain a cumulative score and projects with the highest score will be funded first.

1. The overall building condition 4 = poor condition 3 = fair condition 2 = good condition 1 = excellent condition

2. The degree to which the proposed project will make visible improvements in the Target Area 4 = major/complete façade work to buildings in a poor to fair condition in a highly visible location 3 = substantial changes to buildings in poor to fair condition or major changes to the rear of a building when property abuts a major road 2 = considerable changes to buildings in fair to good condition or major changes to the rear of a building when property does not abut a major road 1 = minor changes to buildings in fair to good condition or a substantial change to the rear of a building when the property does not abut a major road

3. The ratio of private funds to be leveraged 4 = 175% 3 = 150% 2 = 125% 1 = 100%

4. Percentage of vacancy 4 = 100% 3 = 75% 2 = 50% 1 = 25%

5. Financial Need relative to subject property 4 = property is losing money 3 = property breaks even 2 = property makes modest profit defined at 10-20% of net income Contact: Michelle Ciccolo Town Hall (978) 562-9963 phone Page 4 of 5 Executive Assistant's Office 78 Main Street (978) 568-9641 fax 3rd Floor Hudson, MA 01749 [email protected] Town of Hudson Issued 08/10/07

1 = property is profitable making more that 21% of net income

Contact: Michelle Ciccolo Town Hall (978) 562-9963 phone Page 5 of 5 Executive Assistant's Office 78 Main Street (978) 568-9641 fax 3rd Floor Hudson, MA 01749 [email protected]