For the purposes of these guidelines, the facade of a building is generally the front of a structure but may also include, at the discretion of the Economic Development Committee, the side and/or back of a building.

Project activities must conform to:

1. The Program Policies set forth in the “Storefront” Facade Grant Guidelines
2. The Borough of Souderton Zoning Ordinance

All grant applications will be accepted for any commercial property within the Business Improvement District of the Borough of Souderton. However, priority consideration will be given to properties along Main and Broad Streets.

Any person(s) or legal entity that owns or leases commercial buildings is eligible to apply. Applications by lessees/tenants require the consent of the property owner.

Major maintenance, repair, rehabilitation and restoration of commercial storefronts and facades are eligible activities. Projects must achieve visible results while presenting the building in its most appealing form.

A variety of property improvements, including major maintenance, repair, rehabilitation and
restoration of storefronts and facades are eligible activities. Eligible grant activities include:

• Painting – Surface preparation, cleaning, painting.
• Signage – Maintenance, repair, removal and replacement. Signs must conform to the Borough
  of Souderton’s Building Code and Zoning Ordinances (if applicable).
• Brick and Stone Masonry – Structural repairs, cleaning, repointing, and painting.
• Architectural Metals – Repair, cleaning, refinishing, painting, duplication and restoration of exterior doors and installation of storm windows in conjunction with other significant facade
  improvements.
• Doors and Upper-Story Windows – Maintenance, repairs, replacement, and restoration of window sashes, exterior doors and installation of storm windows in conjunction with other significant facade improvements.
• Woodwork – Maintenance, repair, rehabilitation and restoration of sills, window and door frames, bulkheads, storefront and roof cornices and decorative moldings.
• Storefronts – Removal of inappropriate coverings and additions, maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, and restoration of display and transom windows, lighting.
• Sides or Backs of Buildings – The building’s side must be fully exposed to a public street or other public area.
• Landscaping & Streetscaping – Installation of landscaping and streetscaping (hardscaping, for
  example: paver stones, or softscaping, for example: plants and shrubs).

Eligible activities will be evaluated based on appropriateness of design, impact on the program area and objectives, as well as order of receipt of application.

Examples of Ineligible projects are:

• New Building Construction
• General and/or minor Maintenance Projects
• Roofing or Siding Repairs
• Sidewalks, Driveways, Parking Lot Repairs

The Souderton Connects Economic Development Committee “Storefront” Facade Grants are part of an effort to restore the Borough’s commercial image and character. Grant awards are calculated as follows:

• 50% funding of expenses up to $1,500 maximum
• Grants are made on a cost reimbursement basis, following a process of application, design review and approval, and satisfactory construction completion in accordance with the program requirements.
• All Souderton Borough financial obligations must be met before applicant is eligible for approval of funds. Receipt of grant awards is contingent upon submission of construction cost invoices from bona fide contractors or tradesmen.
• A joint facade improvement project (with 2 or more properties that share a common wall) is eligible for grants up to $1,500 per deeded property or 50% of the total project cost, whichever is less.
• One grant per storefront will be considered for tenant/leaseholder/owner applicants.
• All work must conform to local and state ordinances: permits from the Borough of Souderton
  and/or permission from the property owner will be required, if applicable.
• All work must be completed in a manner consistent with the work described in the approved Facade Improvement Grant application. Reimbursement will be made upon completion of the project. Proof of payment must be provided in order for the reimbursement to be issued.
• The applicant must submit to the Economic Development Committee documentation that
  substantiates the work is complete. All work must be completed within 3 months of the grant approval date; otherwise the grant may be forfeited. Extensions may be granted at the Committee’s approval.
• Project costs are inclusive of appropriate Pennsylvania sales taxes.

Using the form below, submit the Application inclusive of the following:

1. Applicant identification and contact information.
2. Property owner identification, if different from applicant.
3. Property location.
4. Written project description, design plan, drawing, schematics, photographs, etc.
5. Matching funding verification. Must include a minimum of 2 written cost proposals from
   bona-fide tradespeople, contractors and/or suppliers. For projects being completed by
   the property owner, a written cost proposal along with a list of 1 contractor and their price
   quote must be submitted.
6. Verfication of the applicant and property owner (if different from applicant).

• The Souderton Connects Economic Development Committee reviews the application for completeness and conformance to Program design standards within 30 days of receipt.
• All applications are subject to approval by the Souderton Connects Economic Development Committee as a condition of the grant award.

Email manager@soudertonconnects.com with further questions.