Facade Improvement Grant Program

The Downtown Bedford, Inc (DBI) Facade Design Grant Program provides grants to commercial property owners, or business owners with property owner approval, to encourage restoration of building facades enhancing the existing appearance. The DBI Design Committee utilizes grant funding received from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Main Street Program to serve as an incentive to stimulate private investment in facade renovations. The implementation of the Facade Design Grant will result in a more competitive and economically viable business district.

An attractive image is of key importance to the success of any commercial area. That image depends upon the appearance of the commercial area’s individual building assets. Facade and storefront improvements are one of the most effective proven ways of upgrading the image and ultimately attracting more business. The Facade Design Grant program also affords a property owner the opportunity to reverse past inappropriate architectural improvements. Many improvements do not need to be costly. Often a fresh coat of paint or a new sign or awning canopy may be all that is needed. Many commercial buildings throughout Bedford still retain architectural features that made them unique.

Property owners may find it beneficial to contract with a design architect, specializing in the rehabilitation/restoration of historic building facades. Sample renderings are available at the Downtown Bedford office 124 South Juliana Street, Bedford, PA 15522. The schematic design rendering, if required or desired by the property owner, provides an excellent design plan, which shows the building at its potential best. It typically addresses the design and modifications of the storefront and upper floors in such a way as to enhance the architectural integrity of the building. If the street level or storefront of the building has fallen victim to contemporary change over the years, such as the application of siding or metal panels, etc., the architect will show in the rendering how the building could look if "brought back" in a way that enhances the original architectural design of the building. At the same time, it will address functional and financial requirements, as well as signage, awnings, and the actual paint color selection.

Approved Project Applications to improve building facades, will entitle the property owner or the business owner with property owner’s approval, to receive a funding grant for 50% of the project cost, but not to exceed a grant in the amount of $3,000. Signage construction and awning replacement/repair programs are part of the facade improvement program. Downtown Bedford, Inc, will represent the Borough of Bedford and DCED for the approval and administration of these funds.

This Downtown Bedford, Inc. Facade Design Grant guideline booklet is meant to serve as a guide. This booklet cannot cover every situation nor solve every problem, but it can offer basic information about physical improvements, which have proven to be effective in revitalizing other commercial districts throughout Pennsylvania. In addition, the design guidelines establish a set of design principles to insure that improvements are consistent with the scale, character and history of the particular neighborhood and town as a whole. These principles stress good maintenance of existing original architectural features and compatibility of replacement architectural elements and any new additions. The booklet is based on the National Main Street Storefront Guidelines, which are consistent with the ten "Secretary of the Interior" Standards* for Rehabilitation& Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings.

In business, first impressions mean everything! It is the storefronts that sell the business - and the business district - to customers. An attractive appearance, combined with quality products, competitive prices and good service, creates a compelling image that will increase commerce, profits, and community pride.

What types of projects qualify?

• Maintenance projects
• Interior renovations and improvements
• Building permit and other miscellaneous fees
• Sidewalks and paving
• Landscaping
• Demolition or acquisition of property

Downtown Bedford, Inc. may apply for a total of $30,000 each year that it is a qualified Main Street Community to stimulate private investment in historically appropriate facade and other improvements in the Main Street target area. Total reimbursement, per applicant, will not exceed 50% of the total project cost up to $6,000.

Submit a completed DBI Facade Improvement Grant Application including:

1. Adhere to the design plan on which the funding agreement was based.
2. Have pre-approval by the Design Committee of any changes of the work in progress.
3. Complete project, in a timely fashion, and submit invoices to Main Street Manager for payment of pre-approved grant amount.
4. Upon completion of final inspection the applicant will be reimbursed for 50% of the total project cost, not to exceed $3,000.

Every effort will be made to reimburse the applicant in a timely manner. It is important that the project is not started until given approval by DBI.

Applications will be received for all commercial properties within the Downtown Bedford revitalization area of the Borough of Bedford. Qualifying commercial properties include single-purpose retail and office buildings and mixed-use buildings containing combinations of retail, office, residential apartments, backs of buildings (if used as a public entrance.) All applying businesses also must have business hours greater than twenty-five hours per week. The revitalization area includes Pitt Street, from West Street to Bedford Street; Central Way from West Street to Bedford Street; Penn Street from Thomas Street to Richard Street; and Vondersmith Avenue from Lafayette to Richard Street. Commercial structures with frontage on two eligible streets would be eligible for priority consideration.

The condition of Bedford's commercial buildings is immediate visual evidence as to the vitality of the overall town. All buildings within the Bedford Main Street program project area should be recognized as products of their own time.

Paint Color Selection - Sample color scheme renderings are available to borrow at the Downtown Bedford, Inc. office. In selecting colors, it is very common to use four colors; one primary facade color, and two or three trim colors that are complementary. Color selection should also be based on the color pattern of the buildings on either side of the project site.

The original materials used for wall facings, such as brick, sheet metal or cast iron and paint colors help give buildings their special character, as well as provide visual harmony to the entire streetscape. Covering original facing details with inappropriate materials like aluminum, or vinyl siding, for example robs a facade of its architectural identity and destroys its relationship to the immediate neighborhood. Repair and proper ongoing maintenance of exterior decorative features and paint coatings is a better solution to the problem of a deteriorating facade. By taking advantage of the quality of the original materials, the life of the building will be indefinitely prolonged.

Painting

Sheet Metal Work

Cast Iron Work

Materials and Details

Scale and Mass

Service Areas and Mechanical Equipment

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• Buildings that are made of brick be cleaned by the gentlest of methods such as steam or low pressure water. Never sandblast or use abrasives on brick.
• As brick is one of the least costly building materials to maintain it needs only periodic cleaning and repointing to preserve its original beauty and long life.
• When appropriate, the use of the process of repointing. Repointing is the removal of deteriorated mortar from the joints of a masonry wall and replacing it with new mortar. When properly done, repointing restores the visual and physical integrity of the masonry. Improperly done, repointing detracts from the appearance of the building and may cause physical damage to the masonry.
• When repointing, match the new mortar to the original compressive strength, color, composition, depth and type of joint.
• If brick is already painted it may be cleaned with a chemical paint remover, but a test should be done to make certain that the masonry won't be damaged by the process. Sometimes brick used in older buildings was of a poor quality and was meant to be protected. Painting over unpainted brick is not suggested or encouraged.
• The repairing of stucco by removing the damaged material only and patching with new stucco that duplicates the old in strength, composition, color and texture.
• The replacement of decorative masonry features only when they are missing or too deteriorate.

• Windows be compatible with the style, materials, colors and details of the building.
• Location of upper windows align vertically with store fronts and entrances.
• The window opening rhythm not be broken by blocking up window openings, or the use of undersized or oversized windows. The rhythm should be maintained by keeping openings, windows and decorative trim consistent with the original.
• Existing windows be retained whenever possible. If replacement is necessary the new windows should match the originals in size, material and style.
• Where appropriate to the design of a building, shutters be provided on all front facing windows and other windows visible from the street. Proper hardware should be used for the installation of the shutters.

Store Fronts and Entrances

• Store fronts be compatible with the upper floors to retain the overall character of a building.
• Retail, service and restaurant uses have large pane display windows on the ground level.
• Buildings with multiple storefronts be unified through the use of architecturally compatible materials including: colors, details, awnings, signage, and lighting.
• The retention of the original proportions of display window glass and any special features such as transoms, leaded glass, etc.
• Entrances be defined by architectural elements such as: lintels, pediments, pilasters, columns, porticos, porches, railings, balustrades, etc.

• The roof form be appropriate to the building as well as that of the neighboring buildings.
• The use of cross gables, dormers, belvederes, masonry chimneys, cupolas, and other similar elements where appropriate to the design of the building.
• Flat roofs be avoided on (1) and (1 1/2) story buildings.
• The front facade or wall of a building facing a street be emphasized through window patterns and proportions, entrance treatment and details.
• Visible side and rear walls be compatible with the design of the front facade.
• The use of blank and/or windowless walls be discouraged. However, if necessary they should utilize articulation, or elements compatible with the other wall facings.

Signs have a dramatic impact on the impression of the business district. Clear and concise signs are essential to every business. Effective signage, awnings and canopies are attractive. Simple, properly sized, constructed of appropriate materials, and properly located, they enhance the image of the business district. Appropriate signage often includes a combination of sign types for effective customer recognition. Proper signs can accentuate and complement the overall architecture, as well as architectural details of a structure. A sign is the emblem of a business conveying its professionalism to a potential customer. A sign also advertises, creates curb appeal and encourages walk-in traffic.

The Bedford Historic Architectural Review Board and the DBI Design Review Committee must approve sign and awning design, materials, and color schemes.

Sign Types

Location of Signage

Sign Lighting

Construction / Design of Signage, Awnings, Canopies

Lighting

• The use of minimum wattage metal halide or high pressure sodium light sources. Low pressure sodium and mercury vapor light sources are discouraged.
• Decorative lamp posts that conform to the downtown Bedford light standards within the focus area. The lamp posts are recommended especially along the frontage of the gateways and entry corridors.

Persons or businesses who wish to sponsor a lamp post for the downtown area are asked to download the Lamp Post Sponsorship Application and returned the completed form, with payment, to the DBI office.

1. Secure a DBI Facade Design Grant application from the Downtown Bedford, Inc. Office, located at 124 South Juliana Street, Bedford, from any member of the Design Committee, or download an application at www.downtownbedford.com
2. Complete the DBI Facade Design Grant Application including:
   

   a. DBI Membership Application (If not already a current member) b. Applicant identification c. Property owner identification if different from applicant d. Property location (must be within designated shaded area on downtown map) e. Written project description and design plan drawing and schematics for each eligible project. f. Contractor/material cost estimates (two required) for each eligible project. g. Matching funding verification. h. Signature of the applicant and property owner (if different from applicant). i. Schedule for completion of the project. (The façade project must be completed 18 months from DBI’s written approval, or the grants will be forfeited back to DBI.)

3. Get approval from the Bedford Historic Architectural Review Board and Bedford Borough Council, if necessary.
4. The Main Street Manager will review the application for completeness within ten working days.
5. The application will then be submitted to the DBI Design Committee for review at their next scheduled meeting.
6. Necessary permits must be secured before commencement of work.
7. IMPORTANT NOTE: Only approved work will be eligible for the Downtown Bedford, Inc. Design Challenge grant program. Project work may not commence until the applicant/property owner receives a written notice to proceed from the Main Street Manager. Also, in the case of the grantee of a façade project selling the property during or before completion of the grant project the fore-mentioned grant money will be forfeited back to DBI and the new building owner must re-apply.
8. Reimbursements to the project applicant/contractor(s) requires:

   a. Adherence to the design plan and/or project as submitted and reviewed and approved by the Downtown Bedford, Inc. Design Committee. b. Pre-approval by the Design Committee of any changes of work-in-progress. c. Completion of final inspections.

9. Once the grant project is completed, the applicant and/or contractor will:

   a. Send a letter of project satisfaction to the Main Street Manager. b. Submit proof of payment to the Main Street Manager with request for reimbursement.