News Release: February 23, 2009

Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority Approves Pilot Façade Improvement Program
At its regular meeting on February 18, 2009, the Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority (EPURA) gave final approval to a pilot program aimed at improving the facades of business properties within the Urban Renewal Area (URA) of Estes Park.  See the attached map of the Urban Renewal Area.  The goal is to improve the appearance of individual buildings, as well as the overall look of business areas.

Grants are available for up to $900.00 of the total cost of an improvement project and must be matched by the applicant.  Grants are for exterior improvements only and may be applied to a front, side, or rear façade, provided said façade faces a public street, public pedestrian way, or public parking area.  Grants are awarded based on the availability of funds.  This is a pilot project of the Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority, based on a total allocation of $90,000.00.  This program is not retroactive.  Façade improvements made prior to approval of an application will not be funded by this program.

Matching Requirement
The grant program requires the applicant to match at least 50% of the total project cost.  Matching funds may be cash or in-kind contributions.  In-kind matches may include services, materials and/or equipment documented in a letter from the donor and submitted with the grant application.

Eligible applicants
Commercial and non-profit property owners or tenants within the URA may apply for matching grants.  Tenants are required to have written approval from property owners to participate in the program.

Application Process
Application forms are available in the office of the Director of the Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority in the Administration area of Town Hall, 170 MacGregor Ave., P.O. Box 1200, Estes Park, CO 80517.  When an application is submitted and includes all of the required information as determined by the EPURA Director, the application will be processed by staff within ten (10) business days.  In the event the proposal requires Board interpretation, it will be presented to the EPURA Board for consideration at its next regular meeting.  The EPURA Board conducts regular monthly meetings on the third Wednesday of each month at 8:00 a.m. in the Board Room in Town Hall.  The applicant will receive immediate notice of the grant award upon approval of the EPURA Board.

Approval of an EPURA grant in no way substitutes for the normal building permitting process of the Town of Estes Park.  A building permit from the Town Building Department may be required.

Project Time Period
Applicant must submit a detailed project schedule with the grant application.

Eligible Activities

Eligible projects are confined to improvements made to the exterior of any building or shop in the URA.  Roofing is not eligible.  Storefronts on the interior of multi-tenant malls are considered exteriors for the purposes of this program.  Eligible improvements include:

Exterior painting  (Colors appropriate to Estes Park)
Restoring or improving exterior finishes, including masonry and wood
Exterior door repair or replacement
Window repair or replacement
New or repaired signage
New or repaired gutters and downspouts
New or improved outdoor seating
Repair of exterior cracks
New or repaired external lighting
New or repaired flower boxes or pots
Awnings
Landscape materials, where applicable 

If any proposed improvement is deemed inappropriate (loud or garish colors, inconsistent with public safely, offensive or in bad taste) EPURA reserves the right to disapprove any such application.

Additional Requirements
While not a historic preservation program per se, the administration of this program will be in cognizance of historic values and applicants will be expected to propose projects consistent with the historical integrity of the buildings occupied by the applicants.

Disbursement of Grant Funds
Disbursement of grant funds will be made upon completion of the project and submission of all receipts to the EPURA Director and approval thereof.