Downtown Facade Improvements Program

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  3. Registering in SAM.gov to Qualify for Grants

This forgivable loan program is administered by the City of Fremont and the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District and funded by Community Development Block Grant Downtown Revitalization funds.

The purpose of the Downtown Facade Improvements Program is to restore, improve or create historic architectural features to facades of commercial buildings anywhere within Fremont’s Business Improvement District #1 as identified within the Fremont Downtown Plan. Specifically, properties must be located in the area generally bounded by 1st Street to Military Avenue and from D Street to H Street. 

  • Available to property owners and business owners/tenants within Fremont Business Improvement District #1 (in the area generally bounded by 1st Street to Military Avenue and from D Street to H Street)
  • Maximum funding request is $50,000.  Requires a 25% match (i.e. $1,000 is $250 in match and $750 in loan)
  • Request and design must be approved by the City of Fremont
  • Applications are open on a rolling basis until the funds are exhausted or the grant term nears expiration.
  1. If the project is over $50,000, does the whole project have to use Davis Bacon wages or only an identified scope or scopes that totals $50,000?
  2. A Davis Bacon wage scale will be needed in order to bid the projects, is one available? Are there other Davis Bacon informational documents available to include in a request for bids?
  3. Can a property owner who owns multiple properties submit multiple applications?
  4. What if a property owner has a project AND the business owner/tenant also has a project?
  5. With applications due September 1, will applicants have enough time to get projects completed before the 6-month deadline outlined in the program guidelines?
  6. Section IIE of the guidelines states, "a maximum forgivable loan up to 50% of the cost of improvements, not to exceed $50,000 per project.” Should this read 75%?
  7. The applications states, "Amount reqeusted (up to 25% of project cost - not to exceed $50,000). Shouldn't this be 75%?
  8. How specific does an applicant need to be in the project description and identification of materials?
  9. Can an applicant replace a skylight as part of a DTR project?
  10. Can an applicant replace windows on the side of a building through this program?
  11. If an applicants owns a block of buildings that houses three businesses, does each business need to apply?
  12. If an applicant owns more than one business in the district, are two specific applications needed or can both businesses be included in one application?
  13. How should you time submitting requests for building permits? As soon as you turn in your application or wait until your application is approved?
  14. Does a brick planter box count as an eligible project?
  15. Can you provide additional information on SAMs registration when it comes to multiple properties?
  16. Are roof repairs eligible projects?