2022 Grant Awards & Project Info

Facade & Building Improvement Grant Opportunities

The City of Klamath Falls (City) in partnership with the Klamath Falls Downtown Association (KFDA), intends to assist property owners in reutilizing and improving the outward appearance of their buildings within the Downtown Business Zone (priority area) through continuation of a Façade (priority) & Building Improvement Grant Program. The City and KFDA will provide financial assistance to building owners and qualified tenants willing to make significant private investment in their own buildings. Funds will be distributed via a competitive application process and will be limited to those made available by City Council and partner groups.

*Applicants need only submit one application to be considered for all grant opportunities. After reviewing these guidelines to determine if your project qualifies, see application link below.

Financial Incentive:
For the present grant cycle, the City has made $150,000 in grant funding available for façade or building improvement projects. KFDA has concurrently made $15,000 in grant funding available to assist property owners with façade or building improvement projects that improve a building’s outward appearance or result in its re-occupancy and reuse.

For City funding assistance, approved applicants may be awarded up to $50,000 or 50% of total project improvement costs (whichever is less). KFDA funding may be awarded at any amount up to $15,000 or 50% total project improvement costs (whichever is less) dependent on project impact. All programs require applicant match and participation.

For applicants pursuing larger value façade and/or building improvement projects, City staff and/or KFDA representatives may coordinate with outside sources, namely through the Oregon Main Street Network, to seek supplemental project funding assistance in addition to allotted City/KFDA grant dollars.

Grant disbursements shall only be made to reimburse incurred expenses as demonstrated through verified receipts, canceled checks, etc. 

Eligibility:

* All interested applicants must attend a mandatory pre-application meeting to be eligible for grant award consideration. The brief meeting will be held Monday, January 10th, 2022 at 4:00pm within the City Hall Annex building’s downstairs conference room located at 500 Klamath Avenue. Advance registration for this meeting is required - register below. If unable to attend, please contact KFDA Executive Director Darin Rutledge at 541-539-6212 or darin@downtownklamathfalls.org to make alternate arrangements.

• Projects must be within KFDA's Downtown Klamath Falls district boundary. City funding priority will be given to projects and buildings located within the Downtown Business Zone. Please see the linked maps for location reference.
• Priority will be given to building owners and tenants who have not received City and/or KFDA grant funding during the last two grant cycles. Past grant performance and success will be considered for those applicants who were previously awarded grant funding.
• Priority will be given to those applications with detailed project budget information and that contain contractor bids.
• Priority will be given to projects that either update a historically significant building (as listed on the Downtown Historical Survey) or return an altered façade to its original appearance.
• Subject properties must be structurally sound for façade improvement grant consideration. Structural soundness projects may be considered for building improvement grant consideration.
• If a lessee/tenant submits a grant application, accompanying owner consent is required.
• Application deadline is March 15, 2022. It is anticipated that awards will be made in early April, pending City Council approval. 
• For façade improvement grant funding, all work must be done on the exterior of the building and result in a publicly visible improvement. Work on the rear or roof of the building is not eligible for a façade grant.
• Subject properties must be up to date on all property taxes.
• Tax exempt properties are ineligible for City grant funding consideration except for signage-related requests (they remain eligible for KFDA grant funding).
• Primary applicant must be a KFDA Partner at the “Advocate” level or higher at the time of application submission (only for KFDA grant funding consideration).
• Project costs must exceed $3,000 to be considered for both City and KFDA grant dollars.
• Project work must comply with City of Klamath Falls development standards. (Community Development Ordinance, CDO, Chapters 10-14) and specifically the Downtown Business Zone Design Standards (CDO Sections 12.750-12.796).
• Project work on historic properties (eligible/contributing or eligible/significant as identified in the 2016 Downtown Architectural Survey) must be completed in compliance with the Department of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitating Historic Properties.
• Project work cannot begin prior to grant agreement finalization. Requests for reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to grant agreement execution date will NOT be paid. 

Eligible Exterior Façade Improvements:

• Exterior painting, re-siding, and refinishing
• Restoration of original exterior finishes and materials
• Masonry repairs and tuck pointing
• Removal of architecturally inappropriate or incompatible exterior finishes and materials
• Removal of materials that cover original architectural details
• Repair or replacement of windows and doors (if replacement, windows and doors must be architecturally appropriate)
• Window and cornice flashing and repair
• Canopy or awning installation or repair
• Addition of or restoration of murals
• Exterior lighting installation
• Building signage installation (marquee, projecting, suspended and similar historic sign styles)
• Other repairs that may improve the aesthetic quality of the building

Ineligible Façade Improvement Work:
Items include, but are not limited to the following,

• Interior improvements
• Roofing
• Inappropriate repairs, replacements, or alterations
• General maintenance and repair
• Public improvements

Eligible Building Improvement Work:

• Fire sprinkler systems
• Elevators
• Seismic improvements
• ADA accessibility improvements required by reuse or change of use
• HVAC improvements required by reuse or change of use
• Electrical upgrades required by reuse or change of use
• Other improvements reasonably related to assisting building reuse or change of use
  
  

Ineligible Building Improvement Work:

• General maintenance and repair (items such as roof replacement, floor replacement, etc.)

Process:

• Applications will be accepted by KFDA through Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at 5:00pm.
• Completed applications will be reviewed by City staff, KFDA representatives, and an appointed design review committee. Applicants will be made aware of committee recommendations, while final award of City grant dollars will be made through City Council review. The KFDA Board or its representative will separately award its own grant dollars. Although independently awarded, an applicant may receive both City and KFDA grant dollars for façade and/or building improvement work. While at the discretion of City Council, awarded grant funding through KFDA may be considered for City grant match purposes.
• Upon finalizing any grant agreement, awarded applicants will have up to one calendar year or no later than May 31, 2023 (pending City Council approval for City dollars) to complete all grant improvement work.
• No project work can be completed prior to grant agreement finalization (applicants will NOT be reimbursed for any costs incurred by the project prior to the agreement execution date). 
• Upon finalizing any grant agreement, the approved project scope may not change without prior City Council/KFDA approval.

* To reiterate, applicants need only submit one application to be considered for all grant funding opportunities.

Conditions for Reimbursement:

• Color photographs of completed project work must be submitted. Completed project work must closely resemble the approved improvements through any grant agreement.
• Copies of all paid invoices, canceled checks (bank statements), and lien waivers for all approved grant improvements must be submitted to the City/KFDA for reimbursement upon project completion. Submitted reimbursement documentation must equal at least the requested grant amount and all invoices must be paid, signed, and dated by contractors. Reimbursements will not be made for expenses incurred prior to execution of the grant award agreement.
• Requests for reimbursement must be submitted no later than one month after the end of the grant performance period (May 31, 2023) or by June 30, 2023.
• Lien waivers cannot be substituted for canceled checks or bank statements.
• In order to receive reimbursement, a current W-9 Form must be provided.

Applications closed March 15 at 5:00pm.