New York's Main Street grant program is an innovative initiative designed to stimulate downtown revitalization in communities across New York State. It provides funding for facade improvements, interior building renovations and streetscape enhancements. The Greater Warsaw Chamber of Commerce has been awarded $200,000 to bolster business in the targeted area of Warsaw's Commercial District.  The Greater Warsaw Chamber of Commerce will be providing critical support through the program that will help reinvigorate and transform the local business community.

Click DESIGN GUIDELINES for building improvements

Click APPLICATION FOR APPLICATION FORMS

Click  Map of target area
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Purpose
•    Enhance downtown architecture
•    Recruit new business
•    Develop quality residential units
•    Create a vibrant and walkable downtown
•    Promote economic development
      
    Grant Award   -   $200,000

•  $175,000 for interior building and or facade improvements
•  25,000 for streetscape enhancements (no matching required)

            Vistors' Welcome Area
                ...  Chamber's Lot, W. Buffalo Street
                        Landscape with flowering trees
                        Decorative water fountain
                        Kiosk for community events info
                        Benches & receptacles
            North Main Street Improvements
                    Add trash receptacles, benches and banners
          ___________________________

Who is Eligible for grants?
    Buildings in the Central Business District targeted area
       Owners
       Tenants with seven year leases

Not eligible
      Buildings owned by municipalities, churches, not-for-profits with a few exceptions

                            Guidelines
    Facade Improvements up to $10,000
    Must apply for at least $2000 grant
    Agree to match grant dollar for dollar
    Two storefronts in one building eligible for up to $20,000

     Eligible Improvements Include
          Signs
          Awnings
          Lighting
          Removal/replacement exterior finishes
          Door/window replacement or repair
          Approved Steel doors & aluminum windows permitted
          Painting and or masonry repair
          Landscaping

                Guidelines
Interior Building Improvements Grant
    For first and second floors and possibly third floors
    Door/window repair or replacement
    Electrical
    Elevators
    Repair or replace or install HVAC
    General remodeling or repair costs

     Remember you can apply for both Interior building and Facade improvements up to a total of $60,000

    Must agree to match grant award dollar for dollar

    Costs Included for Reimbursement
    Engineer or architect's assistance
    Liability insurance
    Building permits
    Tests removal of lead paint hazards
    Do not have to pay NYS wage rates

How to Apply
    Download guidelines and application
                  WARSAWHISTORY.ORG
   OR    Pick up at Town,Village Offices, Warsaw Public Library and the Warsaw Historical Society.

    Read improvement guidelines
    Talk with the Building Improvements Administrator
    Develop plans according to guidelines
    Get two estimates
    Fill out application
    Submit application with plans

    How are projects selected?
Compatibility With Goals of Revitalization

    Five-member review panel will rank

Priority Order
     Increases job and or housing opportunities
     Lessens Commercial or mixed use vacancy
     Enhances architectural building elements or respects the original design of the building
    Overall Impact

Conditions
    Contracts - Agreements

    Sign application and contract
    You can be your own contractor
    Select contractor(s)
    Secure liability insurance - One Million   
    Allow inspections
    
    Complete improvements within one year of signing contract
    Time extensions permitted with approval

    OTHER CONDITIONS
    For apartment renovations, must remain affordable to low income people for seven years

    Maintain property for 7 years

    Sweep sidewalks and remove graffiti for 7 years

    Do no harm - make no future changes inconsistent with building design guidelines

    No value of sweat equity reimbursed

    No interim reimbursements
    
    Have final inspection

    Apply for 50%  reimbursement

MORE  INFORMATION

    LOOK FOR MORE  QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

         AT  WWW.WARSAWHISTORY.ORG

 Call 786-8646 or 786-2523


Q:       Who is the LPA?   A:  The local program administrator is the Greater Warsaw Chamber of Commerce.

Q.      Is the creation of new residential units encouraged, or is the goal of the program the preservation and improvement of existing units?

A.     Creation of new units through rehabilitation or adaptive re-use of existing buildings is a program goal, but new construction, as the term is generally used, is not eligible. The NYMS program is intended to promote mixed-use districts.

Q.      What restrictions will apply to owners receiving NYMS funds to improve a building?

A.     For properties receiving a Building Renovation Grant and/or Downtown Anchor Grant, a lien in the form of a grant enforcement agreement will be placed upon the building by the LPA to ensure the improvements are maintained for a minimum of seven years. If the property is transferred during that period the new owner must agree to assume the responsibility of maintaining the asset or all grant funds must be returned to HTFC. A lien will also be placed upon residential units assisted with NYMS funds requiring the owner to keep them affordable to low-income households for at least a seven-year period. Owners that receive funding for façade improvements must sign an agreement with the LPA that they will maintain the integrity of the façade renovation and ensure that it is preserved for a minimum of seven years.

Q.    How quickly will payments be made under the Main Street Program?    

A.    HTFC will make payments to LPAs through an automated deposit system, on a building-by-building basis. Normally, this process, from receipt of payment request at HTFC to payment, can be accomplished within two weeks. Factors such as multiple funding sources, or small progress payments will complicate the process somewhat and may slow payments.    

Q.  What kind of documents must an owner submit to the LPA to substantiate work costs?    

A:  Copies of work write-ups, invoices for materials and labor, cancelled checks, and releases of liens. HTFC will provide more guidance on these requirements after awards are made.    
    
 Q:  Do lead paint hazard control rules apply?    

A:   Work done on any residential unit assisted with NYMS funds must be performed in a manner which does not present any undue risks to occupants, and upon conclusion of the work the units must be safe from environmental hazards. As a result, it is recommended that grantees follow federal protocols for lead hazard control. Also, any applicable local laws and ordinances concerning lead hazard control must be complied with. The cost of performing lead hazard control activities is an eligible expense in assisted residential units.    

Q:   Does NYMS require utilization of women- and minority- owned business firms?    

Yes. To the extent feasible, LPAs must ensure that outreach to certified women-owned and minority-owned businesses is conducted. DHCR's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity can provide assistance with outreach.    
    
Q:  Will there be ongoing Technical Assistance?   

A:   Yes. HTFC is currently developing a New York Main Street technical resource center. Resources will be made available to LPA's and other interested parties through the New York Main Street Center. We are also planning an extensive program of technical assistance, including workshops, web-based assistance, publications, and direct assistance to program administrators.

 Q:   Will building owners be required to maintain the facades?   

A:  Yes. LPAs will enter into an agreement with the building owner that requires the owner to maintain the façade for a period of at least seven years.    

Q:   Will owners be required to place a program poster in the window?    

A:   Yes, during construction and for 90 days thereafter.

Q:    Are architectural drawings required for façade renovations?  

A:    HTFC does not generally require submission of architecturals with the NYMS application. However, LPAs must conduct a design review. A photo of the building façade, description of proposed scope of work, and sketch of the proposed façade renovation will also be required for SHPO review. Architectural drawings may be required where the reconstruction of structural elements of the façade is involved.    

Q:  Are DHCR/HTFC design standards applicable to the Main Street Program?   

A:   DHCR/HTFC design standards, as they are currently constituted are not strictly applicable for NYMS projects, given the nature and scope of Main Street work. Good design, however, is still required. The standards established by the State Historic Preservation Office should be observed. When NYMS funds are used in the rehabilitation or construction of residential units, DHCR/HTFC design standards should be observed, though there will not be a formal review for such. In the near future, HTFC will promulgate design standards specific to New York Main Street for use in those communities that have not adapted local design ordinances.    

Q:   Do disability design standards need to be observed?    

A:   Applicants must comply with the provision of the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990), the Fair Housing Act (1968), and the Rehabilitation Act (1973).    

Q:   Will successful applicants be required to get bids for Main Street work?   

A:  Yes, while formal public bidding is not required by New York Main Street, LPAs will be required to obtain two bids for each separate project in order to establish the reasonableness of project costs.    

Q:  Does NYMS funding trigger State or Federal prevailing wage requirements, or the Wicks law?   

A:   No, those requirements do not apply to NYMS since NYMS funds are not federal funds and will be used for awards to improve private property.    

Q:  Does the interior of a building need to be useable or habitable in order to receive a façade grant?   

A:   Yes, in order to receive a façade grant, a building must be occupied and not in violation of local or State Codes, or if vacant, it must be ready to be occupied. Applicants should consider applying for a building renovation grant, if the interior of a building is not in good repair.    

Q:  If a vacant upper floor is rehabilitated for residential purposes, what guarantees exist to prevent it from being turned into commercial space soon afterwards?    

A:   LPAs must ensure that assisted units, commercial or residential, be maintained as intended for a minimum of seven years.    

Q:   What are the design standards for building renovation? Should original architectural renderings be used?

 A:   Architectural renderings, and even old post cards or photos, can be useful in developing a design for renovation. Strict reliance on any single source may not be appropriate. The goal should be to respect the original design of the building, consistent with the over all design of Main Street.    

Q:  Does the commercial space have to be on the first floor?

A:   Suppose the commercial is on the second floor (e.g. provide handicapped accessible units at ground level)?    There may be instances in which commercial ventures (e.g. offices) on upper floors make sense and would be acceptable. Please also keep in mind that the cost of installing an elevator or other similar measures to make second floor space or rear spaces accessible for residential use is an eligible expense.