Public Meeting for Downtown Facade Grant

On Thursday, July 28, at 4 p.m. the city of Dyersburg will be holding a public meeting at Joe's Downtown Marketplace, located at 214 W. Court St., to present information to the public regarding the Community Development Block Grant Commercial Façade Grant Program.

TNECD will be approving grant funds for five communities, with total funds distributed equaling $500,000 ($100,000 per community). If selected for the grant, funds will initially be provided for by the city of Dyersburg and later reimbursed by the state. The grant period begins when a contract is signed and returned to TNECD, which is expected to be in the fall of 2016. Applications for the $100,000 grant are due by Aug. 26, 2016.

If approved, the $100,000 Façade Grant will offer local downtown business owners with two separate options for exterior improvements to their building. Owners utilizing the grant for improvements to their businesses will be required to match 25 percent of their portion of approved grant funding.

Concerned and interested residents are encouraged to attend the meeting and provide comments on possible projects.

Those with disabilities, requiring special accommodations, should contact Dyersburg Mayor John Holden at 731.286.7604.

The competitive grant proposal, as written by Main Street Development includes:

Up to $20,000 in approved façade improvements requiring a 25 percent match by property owner. Eligible use may include tuck pointing, paint, windows, signage and awnings, as approved by city codes and Historic Design Guidelines, which are determined by Main Street Development. All improvements must be historically appropriate.

Each applicant must submit their intentions to the city of Dyersburg for approval in the 18-month period allotted to their properties in the Historic District of downtown Dyersburg.

Applicants choosing Level One improvements will receive grant funding ranging from $5,000-$20,000, with a 25 percent match that that must be paid by the property owner.

The Design Committee of Main Street Dyersburg, in conjunction with Dyersburg City Code Enforcement will approve all color selections and modifications to the building facades in question.

Proper historic preservation procedures will be strictly enforced.

Modern treatments such as Dryvit and residential multi-lite windows will not be allowed. Only period-appropriate materials and windows can be utilized.

Vinyl clad, wooden double-hung two-pane windows and modern low E glass may be used if properly configured and installed.

There will be emphasis on tuck pointing, fresh paint in historic colors, the restoration or replacement of old windows, and the removal of aluminum sheet covers will be preferred over brick sealing and aluminum windows.

Ironwork, doorways, transoms, and signage areas must be restored as carefully as possible to preserve the building's character.

Main Street and National Park Service standards will set the mark for proper preservation with an emphasis on ADA-compliant doors and entrances. Appropriate awnings may be installed and must utilize Main Street recognized Sunbrella fabrics in historic colors.

This project is considered historic preservation and the creation of false history or improper façade will not be allowed. The Design Committee of Main Street may request the opinion of a preservation consultant at no cost to the grant recipient or the city of Dyersburg.

Up to $2,000 in approved façade improvements requiring a 25 percent match by property owner. Eligible use may include door and window work below the transom, as approved by city codes and Historic Design Guidelines, which are determined by Main Street Development. All improvements must be historically appropriate.

Options included under the Level Two grant include improvements to windows, front doors, and transoms with a much smaller scope of work. Appropriate awnings may be installed and must utilize Main Street recognized Sunbrella fabrics in historic colors.

Only the first $80,000 of qualified Level One improvements will be considered to allow for $20,000 in qualified Level Two grants. The two options were created in order to ensure the full utilization of all grant funds. A maximum of 8 percent of the total grant funding will be used by the city of Dyersburg to administer the grant.

Funds from the Façade Grant may be used for profit and non-profit commercial businesses.