CASPER, Wyo. — The Design Committee of Downtown Cheyenne, also known as the Cheyenne DDA, is announcing the immediate opening of the 2020 Pre-Application process for Façade Improvement Grants; with an October 4, 2019 deadline to submit it.
The Façade Improvement Program is one of Downtown Cheyenne’s most visible programs. It was originally put into place by the Board in 2015 and since then, $663,582 in grants have been awarded, according to a DDA statement.
The program is underwritten by the DDA Mill Levy, a 20-mil assessment approved by downtown property owners on the assessed value of their properties.
The FIP is a reimbursement-based grant program, with up to a 65% funding match for approved façade improvements. The program is open to property owners within the DDA district that includes:
- From the north side of 15th Street to the south side of 22nd Street
- From the west side of House Avenue to the east side of Snyder Avenue
- South of the viaduct: from the south side of 11 th Street to the north side of Deming Drive, and from the west side of Central Avenue to the east side of Capitol Avenue.
All work on buildings located in the Downtown Cheyenne Historic District or identified as contributing or potentially contributing on any historic survey, will need to meet the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. If a property does not appear on any survey, the Design Committee has the discretion to use their professional expertise in reviewing proposed work plans and approve, or disapprove, an application on a case by case basis. A goal of this grant program is to keep defining original features intact.
According to the National Park Services’ Technical Preservation Services, “The intent of the Standards is to assist the long-term preservation of a property’s significance through the preservation of historic materials and features. The Standards pertain to historic buildings of all materials, construction types, sizes and occupancy and encompass the exterior and interior of the buildings.
They also encompass related landscape features and the buildings site and environment, as well as attached, adjacent, ore related new construction. To be certified for Federal tax purposes, a rehabilitation project must be determined by the Secretary to be consistent with the historic character of the structure(s), and where applicable, the district in which it is located.”
The FIP Pre-Application, a simple two-page document, is the first step in the grant-making process. Applications for the FIP grant are only open 1x/year. They have typically opened in March; with final applications due in May. The Design Committee found this schedule to be too compressed and are hoping with the 2020 Pre-Application due on October 4th and the Final Application due April 1st , there will be more time project development during the winter and construction during the summer months.
Under the FIP program, grant funds are focused on exterior improvements to building facades that must be visible from the public right of way. They must improve the building’s condition and appearance when seen from public streets. Projects that are already underway are not eligible for this grant.
Consideration for grant approval may lean towards properties listed as “contributing” to the Cheyenne Downtown Historic District and/or National Register of Historic Places. All properties within the DDA district except those that promote a particular political party or religious point of view. The annual application process is intended to be user-friendly and offers the opportunity to opt out should the applicant change his/her mind.
As part of the grant requirements, the property owner must maintain the improved façade in good condition for a period of five years after completion. This is carried out through a Façade Easement Agreement.
The program is administered through Downtown Cheyenne’s Design Committee; with final approval on FIP grants going through the Board of Directors. Design Committee members include representatives from the local design and historic preservation community.
To get a copy of the 2020 FIP Application Packet, go to:
