Preservation Incentive Program OverviewSchertz Main Street Area
Preservation Incentive Program
City of Schertz
Section 1.1 Purpose
The City of Schertz finds that promoting the enhancement and perpetuation of structures
of historical importance and significance are necessary to promote the economic, cultural,
educational and general welfare of the public. The area around Main Street in Schertz
once served as commercial and social hub of the community. The City seeks to improve
the image of the area around Main Street through historic restoration and rehabilitation of
structures in the Main Street area to serve as a commercial, social, cultural and tourism
hub of the City. The program is intended to:
a) Protect, enhance, and preserve the historic resources and landmarks which
represent distinctive elements of Schertz' historic, architectural, economic,
cultural, and social heritage by providing property owners and incentive for
protecting their property;
b) Stabilize and improve property values;
c) Foster civic pride in the beauty and accomplishments of the past, and to promote
the use of the historic structures for the culture, education, and general welfare of
residents, and:
d) Strengthen the economy of the city by protecting and enhancing the attractiveness
of the Main Street area to residents and visitors, as well as provide support and
stimulus to businesses.
In order to facilitate the preservation of historic structures to promote the economic
vitality of the Main Street area as a tourist destination, the City of Schertz is offering
incentives that will serve to improve existing properties and businesses within this area.
Section 1.2 Administration
The program will be administered by the City of Schertz Building Inspections Division.
Section 1.3 Eligibility Criteria
All of the following eligibility criteria must be met:
a) Property must have been constructed more than 50 years prior to the date of
application and be designated as a Landmark Property.
b) Property must be located within the Main Street Incentive Area. See attached
map.
c) All taxes and government fees must be current on the property.
Section 1.4 Types of Grant Assistance
Funding for this program is generated by the Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funds.
a) Program assistance is available to owners who make verified exterior
improvements (however limited to comprehensive maintenance and
rehabilitation painting, roof, windows, foundation, fagade restoration
including replacing windows, wall repairs, brick re- pointing, replacing and
exposing transom windows; and improvements necessary to stabilize a
structure) consistent with applicable codes, or who make verified interior
improvements to upgrade interior systems to current building codes (however .
limited to sanitary sewer lines, fire, HVAC, insulation, electrical, plumbing, or
a combination of interior or exterior improvements) and which are approved
in advance by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee and City
Council. Grants are available with a cap of $20,000 per property.
b) Grants will not be provided for work already completed or which is begun
prior to approval of the grant application.
c) Funds will be provided on a 50/50 matching basis. In kind contributions may
be counted toward the match requirement.
Section 1.5 Grant Application Procedures
At the start of the fiscal year, the city will promote the amount of funding available.
Applications will be received throughout the fiscal year, subject to the availability of
funds.
a) Property owner submit an application along with any required supporting
documentation (i.e. drawings, total project cost estimate, photographs,
contactor bids, tax certificates, etc.). Applications will be reviewed by the
Building Inspections Staff for completeness.
b) After submittal of a grant request, a preliminary site visit will be made by the
Building Inspections Staff along with the Chairperson of the Schertz
Historical Preservation Committee.
c) Applications will be reviewed and evaluated by the Schertz Historical
Preservation Committee. The Committee will evaluate the application based
on the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. The
Committee's recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for
review and approval.
d) City Council will decide which entities qualify for assistance based on the
architectural value of their proposed projects to the City of Schertz, the
compatibility of the proposed projects with the Main Street Area, and the cost
effectiveness of the proposed project in relation to the proposed amount of the
grant.
e) The property owner and City will execute a Grant Agreement detailing the
obligations of the grantee, the method and timing of reimbursement, and
outlining the scope of work eligible for reimbursement.
f) Work must be completed within one year from the date of execution of the
Grant Agreement, however; the Historical Preservation Committee may grant
an extension of up to one year.
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