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- Downtown Merriam Exterior Improvement Grant
Historic Downtown Merriam Exterior Improvement Grant
Merriam business and property owners can make outdoor improvements, including painting, siding, door/window replacement, awnings, building additions, landscaping, and more.
- $50,000 available
- 20% reimbursement from $1,000-$5,000
- Start accepting applications on March 8
Approved applications will be allocated funding until all program funds are expended
Eligibility
- Commercial buildings/property that is located within an area bounded by Turkey Creek; the north property line of 5646 Merriam Drive extended to the BNSF railroad; BNSF railroad; the south property line of 5937 Merriam Drive, and the north property line of 5920 Merriam Drive. View Map
- Minimum $5,000 investment by the property owner
- Reimbursement amount: minimum $1,000; maximum $5,000
- Eligible improvements include, but are not limited to, painting, siding, door/window replacement, masonry repair, awnings, building additions, landscaping, foundation repair, flood proofing
- Interior improvements aren't eligible with the exception of flood proofing and foundation repairs
- Flood proofing must meet FEMA standards and be designed by a Kansas licensed engineer
- Residential structures aren't eligible
- If applicable, improvements must meet the Architectural Design Guidelines for the City of Merriam – Downtown District, Oct. 18, 2002
- The City reserves the right to determine if a proposed improvement meets program requirements
- All improvements must conform to Merriam Codes
- Contractor must have a current Merriam Occupational license, and if appropriate, a Johnson County Contractor License
- Property owner must be current on all property taxes in Merriam
- Program property must be code complaint with the exception of the violation to be addressed by this grant program
- All other properties owned by the applicant in Merriam must be code complaint
- Property owner must provide proof of adequate property insurance
- Governmental subsides or funds utilized for the improvements aren't eligible for reimbursement
Process
- The Community Development Department manages the program
- The City will start accepting applications on March 8, 2021
- Property owner submits an application to Community Development
- Applications are reviewed in the order they are received
- Work bids must be submitted prior to application approval
- The program will only reimburse the labor costs of the labor provided by a third-party contractor
- Application must be approved by the City before the start of work
- Before and after photos of the project will be taken by City staff
- Property owner is responsible for ensuring that all required permits have been obtained. All permits must be in place prior to any work taking place
- Work must be completed within 120 days of application approval
- Work must be completed by October 15
- One Downtown Exterior Grant per property, per owner, per year
- One Downtown Exterior Grant per property every 5 years
Before reimbursement
- Property owner provides at least $5,000 in receipts
- Staff performs a post-project inspection to verify project completion
- No exterior code violations are present
- Property owner must complete a W-9
Application
- The City will start accepting applications on March 8, 2021
- Download application
- Contact David Easley at 913-322-5526 with questions.