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File #: 18-4835    Version: 1
Type: New Business
In control: City Council and Concurrent Authorities
Final action: 12/31/2018
Title: APPROVE NEW STOREFRONT BEAUTIFICATION MICRO GRANT PROGRAM FOR EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS TO LOCAL COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES
Attachments: 1. Attachment A - Commercial Corridors Map, 2. Proposed Resolution - Storefront Beautification Micro Grant, 3. Exhibit 1 - Commercial Micro Grant Program Guidelines

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APPROVE NEW STOREFRONT BEAUTIFICATION MICRO GRANT PROGRAM FOR EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS TO LOCAL COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES

 

recommended action

RECOMMENDATION

 

It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution:

 

1.                     Approving the new Storefront Beautification Micro Grant Program for storefront improvements within specific commercial corridors located within the Stockton city limits. 

 

2.                     Authorizing the City Manager to take necessary and appropriate actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.

 

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Summary

 

The Economic Development Department is recommending the creation of a new Storefront Beautification Micro-Grant Program. The intent of this new program is to provide funds for storefront improvements within specific commercial corridors located in the Stockton city limits (Attachment A - Commercial Corridors Map). The mission of this program is to assist with transforming commercial corridors into visually appealing neighborhood destinations. This program supports small business retention/development and neighborhood revitalization, which coincides with the goals of the City of Stockton Economic Development Strategic Plan. Grants will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

 

DISCUSSION

 

Background

 

The City of Stockton Economic Development Strategic Plan (Feb. 2015) identified a pathway to promote growth of core business clusters, existing industry retention/expansion, new business attraction, and entrepreneurial development.  Attracting and retaining customers is critical to increasing economic opportunities for the local community. In spring 2017, Portland, Oregon based Civilis Consultants hosted a workshop in Stockton to outline the benefits of increased foot traffic and storefront beautification to an existing business. Storefront beautification would be a step toward transforming neighborhoods into a destination for shopping and other economic activity. Civilis Consultants specialize in downtown revitalization and urban improvements by leveraging existing strengths such as local businesses, infrastructure, and land use policy.

 

“Making storefronts visibly appealing would transform neighborhoods into destinations and benefit the community overall. Simple changes like using better lighting, paint, and new windows can do wonders to improve a local economy. Your businesses are the window into the soul of a community.” Civilis Consultants, Portland, OR.

 

For the 2018-19 fiscal year, the City Council approved $25,000 in general funds to establish and administer a commercial storefront beautification and improvement program. As a result, the Economic Development Department created program guidelines to provide guidance and parameters for delivery of this new program (Exhibit 1 to the Resolution). The Storefront Beautification Micro Grant Program (Micro Grant Program) will provide micro-grants of up to $2,000 per business.  

 

Present Situation

 

To help accomplish the goal of improving building exteriors and encouraging neighborhood revitalization, the Economic Development Departed created a new Micro-Grant Program. This program fills a needs gap in that it can be utilized by properties that may not currently qualify for other City improvement programs.  

 

Grant funds of up to $2,000 per business will be available to eligible participants on a reimbursement basis after the completion of an approved beautification project.  The Downtown Stockton Alliance is also considering matching funds for projects located within eligible corridors of downtown.  Only beautification projects pre-approved by the Economic Development Department will be eligible for reimbursement. Any beautification or improvement work completed prior to the grant approval process will be ineligible for reimbursement.  Grant application approval process may include the following:

 

                     Completed Storefront Beautification Micro Grant Application

                     Description of the proposed storefront improvements

                     Estimated project budget

                     Photos of the storefront facade in its current condition, revealing images closeup and distant with neighboring businesses

                     Conceptual images or drawings of the improvements or repairs to be made including paint color swatches, designs, etc.

 

Eligible properties for the Micro Grant Program should be located within an approved targeted commercial corridor (see Attachment A - Commercial Corridors Map); commercial properties located outside a target corridor may be considered by Economic Development Department staff on a case-by-case basis. All properties must be located within City limits to be eligible.

 

Grant participants must adhere to all requirements as outlined in the Program Guidelines and any improvements shall meet existing code and zoning requirements. Storefront improvements made through the Micro Grant Program should obtain planning and building permits as required by the City of Stockton municipal code, when applicable. California Prevailing Wage Law requires workers on publicly-funded construction projects - called "public works" - to be paid prevailing wages, as determined by the State.  Prevailing wages shall apply to this Micro Grant Program and must be paid to all workers employed on a public works project when the project is over $1,000.

 

 

 

 

 

Economic Development staff will evaluate proposed projects and reserve the right to approve or reject projects based on program guidelines.  Proposed projects should address aesthetic elements related to the replacement and/or improvements of:

                     Windows

                     Signs

                     Paint

                     Awnings

                     Lighting

                     Planters and trellises 

 

Applicant Ineligibility:

                     Government-owned buildings

                     Card rooms, gambling establishments 

                     Paycheck cashing establishments

                     Car dealerships

                     National chains and/or franchised owned businesses

                     Interior or exterior repairs not related to the exterior facade aesthetics

                     New building construction

                     For the purchase of real or personal property or equipment

                     Projects completed before applications were submitted

 

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

 

The City Council approved funding in the amount of $25,000 for the Storefront Beautification Micro Grant Program during the fiscal year 2018-2019 budget process, and sufficient funds are available in the Economic Development General Fund Account No. 010-1760-510.

 

Attachment A - Commercial Corridors Map