AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Receive a Staff presentation regarding implementation of the City of San Marcos Business Improvement and Growth (BIG) Program, and provide direction to Staff.
Body
Meeting date: March 15, 2016
Department: City Manager
Funds Required: $100,000
Account Number: 10000128060100
Funds Available: $194,500
Account Name: Business Improvement & Growth Program
CITY COUNCIL GOAL: Economic Vitality and Responsible Finances
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ELEMENT(s):
Economic Development Goal 4: An enhanced and diverse local economic environment that is prosperous, efficient and provides improved opportunities to residents.
Economic Development Goal 5: Fiscally responsible incentives for economic development
BACKGROUND:
The City of San Marcos has established the Business Improvement & Growth (BIG) Program to provide technical and financial assistance to property owners or business tenants seeking to renovate or restore exterior fa?ades, signage, lighting and life-safety systems for commercial buildings. The BIG program is designed to impact properties in need of revitalization, resulting in improved exterior visibility and presentation of a property, as well as enhanced occupant safety. The BIG program is not designed to subsidize corrections to building code violations that prolong the life of a commercial property. Any BIG project should strive toward increases in sales and/or revenue for the occupant or property owner.
BIG will provide a fifty percent (50%) matching grant of up to $20,000 to fund well-designed improvements that coordinate aesthetic features of the storefront while creating a safe and accessible entrance for the public. This may include the restoration of architectural details, improved windows and doors, and appropriate signage and lighting. An additional fifty percent (50%) matching grant up to $5,000 may be available for construction of monument-type signage or the removal and replacement of non-conforming signs.
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