[OMS_MANAGERS] Urban Renewal Programs

[Megan Braunsten]

The City of Beaverton uses both urban renewal dollars as well as some general funds for their Storefront Improvement<https://www.beavertonoregon.gov/storefront> and restaurant-specific Tenant Improvement<https://www.beavertonoregon.gov/2105/Tenant-Improvement-Program> grant programs.  Some of the details:

  *   Both have a maximum grant of $35k
  *   Both will fund 50% for smaller projects (just new paint, etc.), and 70% (up to the max) for larger projects (paint, awning, signage and roll up door)
  *   Both require 3 bids for all elements over $5k, and strongly recommend 3 bids anyway
  *   Both have the above Improvement grants, as well as a Design grant, where the City pays 100% of an established business to spend time with an architect to design their ideal design, as well as obtain up to 3 bids from general contractors.  These are typically the $75k+ projects, but we have found that a business that’s great at making pizza, for example, doesn’t necessarily know what a good rehab could look like.  These “pretty pictures” and numbers really help them decide how they want to move forward.  We pay the architect’s $7,500 (a recent increase from $5k).

I administer both programs and am happy to share any other info or example docs!  😊

COVID-19 UPDATE: Please note, I am working remotely at this time.  Response time might be delayed.

Megan Braunsten
Development Project Coordinator | Community Development Department
City of Beaverton | PO Box 4755 | Beaverton OR  97076-4755
p: 503.526.2419 | c: 503.523.9589 | f: 503.526.2550 | mbraunsten at BeavertonOregon.gov<mailto:mbraunsten at BeavertonOregon.gov>

From: OMS_MANAGERS <oms_managers-bounces at omls.oregon.gov> On Behalf Of Emily Bradley
Sent: Monday, June 8, 2020 10:06 AM
To: 'Oregon Main Street program managers' <oms_managers at omls.oregon.gov>
Subject: Re: [OMS_MANAGERS] Urban Renewal Programs

I think I’ve mentioned this on the weekly call, so apologies if I’m being a broken record. Reedsport Main Street is a function of the City, so a lot of RMSP funds are Urban Renewal Dollars, including the Façade Grant Program. This is now the Business Improvement Grant program because we found that many property owners had structural issues beyond just the façade and even though the façade looked great, they still couldn’t occupy the building or allow a tenant due to the other improvement needs, so RMSP opened it up to other structural improvements as well.

The Business Improvement Grant has a 1:1 match and we will match up to $2,500. Attached are the guidelines and application for the 2020 cycle if you want to see an example (postponed due to COVID, typically this happens beginning in February/March with awards made in April)

Emily Bradley
RARE Americorps
541-271-3603 x 1013
reedsportmainstreet.com<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.reedsportmainstreet.com_&d=DwMFaQ&c=pslXprxdtWHFBuj41-AaSLF1gHAT1_cek1PvLND777Q&r=bqwTYpq4wTXEUw1a0gdjyJc_fwmQwyha2a5MtMXrXlM&m=AIBBUqN6XmOJLqD2-9SgcBsoA95QzUhpZLHGoss9op0&s=EJdL1cjVefK-z5uJHteO5jSN7ZQP_UW8mHiqIrZxUPw&e=>

From: OMS_MANAGERS [mailto:oms_managers-bounces at omls.oregon.gov] On Behalf Of Wesley Murack
Sent: Monday, June 8, 2020 9:12 AM
To: Oregon Main Street program managers <oms_managers at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:oms_managers at omls.oregon.gov>>
Subject: [OMS_MANAGERS] Urban Renewal Programs

Hello Everyone,

We work very closely with our Urban Renewal and wanted to reach out to other communities with Urban Renewal Programs. We are hoping to learn about how your grants are split for match and maximum amounts, if you have a maximum. Some of our commissioners believe that there should be a cap on the maximum grant allowable for façade restoration (for example), however our committees think slightly differently.

This has been an ongoing conversation so I am reaching out to see how other Urban Renewal Grants are structured to provide additional support or expertise to the discussion.

Best,
Wesley Murack
Pendleton Downtown Association

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