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Home My WebLink AboutMidtown Technical Assistance Application Midtown Technical Assistance Program Information & Grant Application / Purpose: To support current or potential developers, property owners, and tenants with technical assistance during the preliminary phases of possible redevelopment projects in the Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District of Bozeman’s Midtown. This program facilitates navigating code requirements, assessing the feasibility of sites and building designs, and preparing for the planning application and approval process. Grant monies are available to developers, owners and tenants to further stimulate investment in Midtown Bozeman, while encouraging a higher level of quality and design in the urban renewal district. Technical Assistance Program projects must support the goals and objectives of the 2015 Bozeman Midtown Urban Renewal Plan. Applicants are reminded that grant awards made by the Bozeman Midtown Urban Renewal Board (MURB) are discretionary in nature and should not be considered an entitlement by the applicant. All grant criteria are guidelines for awards and successful applicants may receive any amount up to the maximum award. Should an application meet all grant criteria, a grant may or may not be awarded at the TIF Board’s discretion due to funding limitations, competing applications, and/or competing priorities of the TIF Board. Authority: The 2015 Bozeman Midtown Urban Renewal District Plan (adopted pursuant to Ordinance No. 1925) establishes that the District should, “Provide incentives for infill, mixed-use development (commercial and residential) and density increases to take advantage of economies of scale in providing services, access and sustainability.” Montana Code Annotated authorizes the Bozeman Midtown TIF to fund such grants: 7-15-4209 Development of workable urban renewal program (1) A municipality, for the purposes of this part and part 43, may formulate a workable program for utilizing appropriate private and public resources: (a) to eliminate and prevent the development or spread of blighted areas; (b) to encourage needed urban rehabilitation; (c) to provide for the redevelopment of such areas; (2) Such workable program may include, without limitation, provision for: (b) the rehabilitation of blighted areas or portions thereof by replanning, removing congestion, providing parks, playgrounds, and other public improvements; by encouraging voluntary rehabilitation; and by compelling the repair and rehabilitation of deteriorated or deteriorating structures;(c) the clearance and redevelopment of blighted areas or portions thereof. 7-15-4233 Urban Renewal Project Powers (m) to prepare plans for carrying out a program of voluntary or compulsory repair and rehabilitation of buildings and improvements; and (n) to conduct appraisals, title searches, surveys, studies, and other preliminary plans and work necessary for the undertaking of urban renewal projects.” 7-15-4288. Costs that may be paid by tax increment financing. The tax increments may be used by the municipality to pay the following costs of or incurred in connection with an urban renewal project (5) costs incurred in connection with the redevelopment activities allowed in 7-15-4233 Disclaimer: Neither the City of Bozeman, nor the Midtown Urban Renewal Board, nor its affiliates shall be responsible for the planning, design, or construction proposed by any work conducted as part of the Midtown Technical Assistance Program. No warranties or guarantees are expressed or implied by the description of, application for, award of or participation in the Midtown Technical Assistance Program. The applicant is advised to consult with the City of Bozeman, licensed architects, engineers, or building contractors before proceeding with final plans or construction. Applying: Applicants are advised to submit a complete application and all supporting materials per the instructions in this packet. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Project Eligibility: In order to be considered for grant awards, proposed projects must meet the following criteria: The project property must be located within the Bozeman Midtown Urban Renewal District. A detailed map of the district can be found on the Community Development Map (Tax Increment Districts Layer). The project must be consistent with the following City of Bozeman planning documents: 2015 Bozeman Midtown Urban Renewal District Plan Bozeman Community Plan The Applicant must be the owner of the project property. If not, the Applicant must complete the program’s Letter of Acknowledgement thus providing the approval of the property owner to proceed. In any event, the firm providing the professional services on behalf of the applicant shall not be the applicant, but may serve as the applicant’s representative throughout the grant process. All work shall be preliminary in scope. Construction work is not eligible for Technical Assistance funds. There are two grant programs currently available for technical assistance. Façade Assistance Projects: Façade Assistance Grants may be applied, but not limited to, the following services: Façade improvement planning Preliminary cost estimates Bozeman Unified Development Code and building code analysis Historical inventory and research Landscape or hardscape design Greenspace, courtyard, plaza design The Façade Assistance grant will provide partial financial reimbursement for professional architectural, design, or engineering assistance. The Façade Assistance grant will fund up to 50% of the total professional service costs of the awarded project not to exceed a grant total of $3000. Planning Assistance Projects: Planning Assistance Grants may be applied, but not limited to, the following services: Development feasibility study Preliminary development review Building condition assessment Renovation or reuse studies Historical inventory and research Parking requirement assessment Preliminary cost estimates UDO and building code analysis Scenario planning and phasing Engineering and Surveying Services The Planning Assistance grant will provide partial financial reimbursement for professional architectural, design, or engineering assistance for feasibility studies and/or preliminary design assistance. The Planning Assistance grant will fund up to 50% of the total professional service costs of the awarded project not to exceed a grant total of $7500. The final grant amount will be calculated upon completion of the project and with the submittal of the financial documentation as required by the Certificate of Completion. Each project or property is limited to receiving a maximum of two awards in a given fiscal year. Review Process: Application forms are available by request from the City of Bozeman Economic Development Department. Applications will be reviewed by Economic Development staff and their consultants under the supervision of the MURB. Staff will review applications on a first come, first served basis for the duration of funding availability. Projects that are recommended for approval will be submitted to the MURB for final approval. The decisions made by the Economic Development staff and TIF Board are final. Award recipients will receive a Letter of Award confirming the grant award and any conditions deemed necessary by the Partnership for receipt of the award. The receipt and completion of a Technical Assistance grant does not obligate the applicant to continue with the project. Technical Library: Upon completion, printed and digital copies of all research, studies, and findings will be provided to the Economic Development Department to be included in the Technical Assistance Library. The specifics of this requirement are outlined in the Certificate of Completion. The materials in the Technical Assistance Library will be available to the public upon request. Pending projects will remain confidential until the applicant submits plans to the City of Bozeman Planning Department or 180 days, whichever occurs first. If the applicant of an assistance grant sells the property, then the technical assistance library materials become public upon the transfer of ownership. Please notice this is a new requirement of the program. Release of Funds: The Midtown Technical Assistance Program is a reimbursement program. No funds will be disbursed until all the completion criteria have been satisfactorily met. At the end of the project, the recipient will submit a Certificate of Completion and required supporting documentation to the Economic Development office which must include an itemized invoice for the hours worked by the professional firm(s). Payment will be made directly to the recipient for the allowable match amount. Payment will not exceed the maximum award amount. Submit Application Materials to: / David Fine City of Bozeman Economic Development Department121 N Rouse AveBozeman MT 59715 Phone: 406-582-2973 E-mail: dfine@bozeman.net MIDTOWN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION Application Date Name of applicant Applicant Company Mailing address City, State, Zip Phone Email Name of Professional Professional Company Mailing address City, State, Zip Phone Email Project Building Name Physical Address: Current Tenants: Does the applicant own the project property? Yes No If “No”, is the project property currently for sale? Yes No NOTE: If applicant does not own the project property, then a Letter of Project Acknowledgement must be completed by the applicant and current property owner. Type of project (please check one): Façade Assistance Planning Assistance Provide the following information on an additional sheet(s): 1 Describe the proposed project. What type(s) of development and/or physical improvements are being considered for the project property? 2 What type of Technical Assistance are you seeking? Please explain what type(s) of analysis will be conducted with the Technical Assistance funding. 3 I dentify how your project supports the Bozeman Midtown Urban Renewal District Plan. 4 Provide a timeline indicating estimated dates for beginning technical evaluation; completing technical evaluation; beginning the development project; and completing the development project. 5 Estimate of the anticipated total professional services costs in order for the matching grant amount to be estimated. *** CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE *** Signatures Applicant Signature Professional Signature Print Applicant’s Name Print Professional’s Name For Official Use Only Date Application Received: Date Award Approved: Date Grant Project Completed: Date Payment Request: