City of Glendale: Commercial VIP (Visual Improvement Program)

(To download this program overview and application, click here.)

Program Summary:

This program is intended to assist in the improvement of commercial or industrial properties by offering a rebate of up to 50 percent of any qualified improvement costs. All commercial or industrial properties in the City’s Redevelopment District, as well as any commercially zoned property in the City of Glendale over 15 years of age, are eligible for assistance. Improvements to the façades of buildings, permanent landscaping, parking facilities and other external improvements are permitted. Eligible properties are eligible to apply for the program. Application does not guarantee assistance.

Any exterior improvements to properties approved by the City may be eligible for this program. The City Council shall have the absolute discretion to designate the eligibility or ineligibility of any requested item.

Program Objectives:

Commercial VIP is intended to encourage commercial and industrial property owners and long-term tenants to reinvest in and renovate their properties. The program is intended to improve the aesthetic nature of properties and to assist in bringing properties up to current building and property code standards. All commercial, industrial and mixed-use properties located in the designated Redevelopment District and all conforming commercial and industrial properties that are older than 15 years of age, and located in commercial or industrial zoning districts throughout the City are eligible to apply to participate in the VIP program.

Program Operation:

Incentives to program participants will be in the form of cash rebates. Participants will be eligible to receive a reimbursement of up to 50 percent of eligible pre-approved improvement costs. The maximum amount for any individual grant award is $250,000; all grant requests over $50,000 must be approved by the City Council in line with the City’s Materials Management procedures. Participation in this program and approval of any grant is at the sole discretion of the City Council.

Use of Funds:

Work which qualifies for reimbursement includes improvements to the exterior of buildings such as painting, cleaning, tuck pointing, façade repair, window repair, replacement signage and other permanent improvements to the property consistent with the architectural integrity of the building or site. Other eligible uses include demolition of obsolete structures, permanent landscaping and also rear access renovation. Any other external improvements required to bring a building or property up to code are also eligible. Additions and expansions to buildings that will benefit the overall appearance of the property may also be eligible. All plans must be approved by the City prior to any construction occurring.

Improvements may be made to individual commercial or industrial buildings and commercial or industrial centers, as well as qualified commercial or industrial property. Permanent landscaping may be included in this program provided that all improvements meet City codes and ordinances, and are consistent with any development plans adopted by the City of Glendale.
All projects requesting more than $50,000 must receive approval by the City Council prior to work commencing.

A minimum of three (3) comparable bids are required if applicant is requesting City participation of more than $2500. Bids should be submitted with the application if possible, but must be submitted before reimbursement payment is made. All bids must include detailed specifications of the scope of work to be performed.

Funds may not be used for working capital; property, equipment or inventory acquisition; refinancing of existing debt or refinancing private funding.

Eligibility:

The property to be rehabilitated must be located within the corporate limits of the City of Glendale. The applicant must be the owner, mortgagor, contract purchaser or long-term lessee of the property in question. The applicant must provide the City with Certification of Capacity to Execute Contract accompanied by a copy of their lease or proof of ownership.

Any commercial or industrial property located in a designated Redevelopment District is eligible for participation. Any commercial or industrial property not located in a Redevelopment District, but older than 15 years of age, is also eligible. Any commercial, retail, office, industrial or mixed-use property in conformance with City zoning or use conditions may be eligible for participation in the program.

The property must meet all City of Glendale Building and Property Codes upon completion of work. In the event that a violation is present, correction of the violation must be made prior to disbursement of the rehabilitation grant.

Work may not be initiated before City approval of the Commercial VIP Application is granted.

Design:

The City of Glendale must approve the design of the project. While there are no specific restoration guidelines, designs should be sympathetic to the integrity of the building and/or property, compatible with neighboring structures and of a quality that suggests the improvement will last a reasonable period of time. All improvements must be reviewed and approved by the City of Glendale prior to construction. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Economic Development Department for design assistance. All necessary building permits must be secured prior to construction.

Eligible work may include external improvements to the building, permanent landscaping improvements consistent with the design of the building/property and neighboring properties, improvements to parking facilities serving the facility, demolition of obsolete properties and signage improvements when undertaken as part of an overall renovation project. Expansions and additions to buildings that will benefit the overall appearance of the property may also be eligible.

Availability of Funds:

The City of Glendale has agreed to budget a set amount for this program, which may be amended from time to time. Applications will be accepted throughout the year. Once all budgeted funds for that year are expended, no further applications will be accepted.

Applicants may be reimbursed for up to 50 percent of the value of the construction, with projects requesting more than $50,000 requiring City Council approval. For the purposes of this program, a commercial property shall be any property or use described as such in Sections 5.520 through 5.781 of the Glendale Zoning Ordinance. An industrial property shall be any property or use described as such in Sections 5.800 through 5.871 of Glendale Zoning Ordinance. Applicants may receive up to 50 percent of architectural and engineering fees for work undertaken as part of the property improvement, up to a maximum of $5,000.

The City Council shall have the ultimate authority to accept or reject each Application, and have complete authority to decide whether requested work is eligible for this program.

Approval:

Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received. Approval will be based on the following criteria: the condition of the existing structure or property, the value of the completed improvement, consistency with City of Glendale development requirements and the quality of the proposed design. Applications requesting assistance valued at $50,000 or less may be approved administratively. The Economic Development Director will review and approve any architectural and engineering expenses prior to the start of construction. All Applications for rehabilitation assistance over $50,000 must be reviewed and approved by the City Council in line with the City’s materials management procedures.

Application Process:

1. The applicant contacts the City of Glendale Economic Development Department to determine the eligibility of the project. The Economic Development Director may authorize the applicant to retain the services of an architect or engineer, wherein the City may agree to reimburse up to 50 percent of these costs up to a maximum of $5,000.
   
   
2. The applicant completes and submits a formal program Application. Application submittal shall include a site plan drawn to scale, elevations, altered property rehabilitation plans drawn to scale and photographs of the existing condition.
   
   
3. The City’s Design Review Committee will review each Application, unless the project is of limited scope and does not require formal design review.
   
   
4. The Economic Development Department will issue a notice to obtain bids to the applicant. Completed bid/proposal information must be submitted to the Economic Development Department for review.
   
   
5. Applications for assistance of $50,000 or less will be reviewed and may be approved administratively. Applications for assistance over $50,000 will be forwarded to the City Council for review and approval. Following approval, the City will issue a formal Notice to Proceed.
   
   
6. Following the Notice to Proceed, but prior to work starting, the applicant must secure any required building or development permits.
   
   
7. Work is completed in accordance with all City of Glendale development standards.
   
   
8. The Applicant submits copies of paid bills, cancelled checks, contractor lien waivers and receipts to the City for reimbursement.
   
   
9. The Economic Development Department inspects completed project to ensure that work was performed as outlined in Application. This inspection does not replace or supercede any additional inspections that may be required by the City’s Building Safety Department.
   
   
10. Applicant is reimbursed the amount of the approved grant based on the lowest bid amount.