DOWNTOWN TASK FORCE

The Downtown Task Force was formed as a recommendation of the Wayland Blueprint Report.  The Task Force is responsible for coordinating downtown development activities and making recommendations to the Downtown Development Authority for specific activities to pursue.

The following downtown revitalization activities were recommended by the Task Force and approved as the 2006 workplan by the Downtown Development Authority and the Wayland City Council:

• Façade Improvement Program – Development of a program for downtown businesses and property owners that would provide assistance for improvements to the building exteriors.
• Building Acquisition – Investigation of downtown properties for acquisition to be (a) marketed for sale for a desired business or (b) to be built-out for a local use.
• Downtown Directional Signs – Facilitate attractive and useful wayfinding methods to direct visitors to the downtown businesses.
• Second Story Rehabilitation – Development of pro gram to encourage improvements to second story residential units.
• Advertising/Promotional Materials- Development of informational materials to promote downtown development efforts and events.

DOWNTOWN INCENTIVE PROGRAMS

DOWNTOWN FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
It is the purpose of the Downtown Façade Improvement Program to provide a financial incentive to downtown property owners/tenants to make architectural-sensitive improvements to the exterior of their buildings.

Types of Financing Available:

PAINT ONLY.  The property owner/tenant may be reimbursed for the cost of paint and labor on a 5-/50 basis up to a $1,000 maximum.  Purchase of paint from a business located within the City of Wayland corporate limits qualifies an applicant for an additional 5% participation from the program.

REPAIR AND RESTORATION.  Grants of up to $5,000.00 per property are available for eligible activities.  Applicants must provide a minimum 50% match of the total project cost.  The minimum grant allowable is $1,000.

ARCHITECT SERVICES.  An additional grant is available for architect’s fees in the amount equal to 50% of the cost or $500.00, whichever is less.

Upon accepting financial assistance through the Wayland Downtown Façade Improvement Program, the property owner shall agree to alter any improvements financed through the program for five years.  The property owner shall further agree not to sell the property for a five-year period.  In the event that the property owner sells the property before the five-year period, a pro-rata share of the grant money will be paid back to the DDA (80% after one year, 60% after two years, etc.).

Applications are submitted to the City Manager and will be forwarded to the Façade Review Committee for consideration.  The Façade Review Committee will make a recommendation to the Wayland DDA for acceptance or rejection of a proposed project.

A full description of the program guidelines and application form is available by contacting the City Manager, 269-792-2265.