Façade Improvement Program

The City of Marinette Façade Improvement Program.

Goal

The goal of the Facade Improvement Program (FIP) is to encourage improvements that stress the historic significance and uniqueness of downtown structures through building restoration.

Enhancements

The City of Marinette is interested in actively supporting initiatives that will enhance the appearance of the downtown area and the retail / commercial areas near Menekaunee Harbor that include businesses along Ogden and Hosmer Streets. (The downtown area includes the streets shown on the map with the brochure.)

Financial Assistance & Incentives

The City has established the Façade Improvement Program (FIP) to provide financial assistance to commercial property owners in the downtown area to rehabilitate the exteriors of their properties. The City's financial assistance is designed to enhance the historical character of the downtown area by providing financial incentives to property owners whose rehabilitation plans seek to restore some of the historic character to their properties.

Preference

Preference will be given to historic buildings, however, other buildings may be eligible but all awards will be at the sole discretion of the selection committee. Preference will also be given to those who have not applied previously. The selection committee is composed of the following:

  • City Engineer
  • Finance Committee Chairman
  • Finance Director
  • Historic Preservation Chairman
  • Plan Commission Chairman
  • Representative of the Community Development Office

City Participation

The City's financial participation shall be limited to 50% of the rehabilitation costs up to a maximum per project of $10,000. Property owners may receive such assistance from the City once in a three-year period per building. The same property owner may apply for another building which also seeks City participation. The availability of funds for the FIP is subject to annual appropriation of $20,000 or additional appropriation by the City Council. Awards for assistance under the program will be made on a first come first served basis. The deadlines for applications will be March 1st and September 1st of each year. If funds are not committed to the FIP by March 1, for projects in the downtown area, funds may then be used for: 

  • Projects throughout the City, consistent with the intent of the program, with preference given to those projects having the greatest direct or indirect impact on the downtown program area 
  • Projects undertaken by the City to improve the downtown area.

Funds

Funds may only be used for exterior repairs or improvements such as:

Eligible Improvements

  • Cleaning of Building Exterior
  • Exterior Painting
  • Masonry Repair and Tuck Pointing
  • Other Repairs That May Improve the Aesthetic Quality of the Building.
  • Removal of Metal or Wood Material Covering Historic Facades.
  • Repair to Building Exterior Facades Including Front, Rear and Side Facades.
  • Repairing or Replacing Cornices, Entrances, Doors, Windows, Decorative Details and Awnings.
  • Signage Removal, Repair or Replacement When Included as Part of a Comprehensive Façade Improvement Project.
  • Other labor and materials used to rehabilitate the façade. In cases where property owners hire a contractor to complete the work, the contractor must be licensed and registered with the city of Marinette or approved through the façade improvement committee.

Ineligible Improvements

  • Demolition of Buildings
  • Inappropriate Cleaning Methods, Repairs, Replacement
  • Installation of Metal, Vinyl Siding
  • Interior Improvements
  • Roofing and Parking Lots

Grant Policy

The City will not discriminate against any contractor / consultant because of:

  • Age
  • Color
  • Developmental Disability as Defined in S51.01(5)
  • Handicap
  • National Origin
  • Physical Condition
  • Race
  • Religion
  • Sex
  • Sexual Orientation

Program Implementation

Application Implementation

  • The applicant must submit a completed application by the March 1st or September 1st deadlines. Please call the Community Development Office
    715-732-5139 to request an application or go online to our homepage.
  • The application must include plans which show: 
    • Price quotes from two retail suppliers for projects that involve material costs only and no labor costs
    • Samples of other materials may be requested as part of the project review.
    • Samples of paint colors must be included in the application
    • A schedule for completion of the project
    • All proposed work, including any structural work or repairs
  • The application must submit two 8 by 10 "before" photographs.
  • The project application must be approved before the work commences on the project. Expenses incurred before the project application is approved are not eligible for reimbursement.
  • Submittal of two 8 by 10 "after" photographs upon completion of project and to ensure reimbursement.

Program Functions on a Reimbursement Basis

The property owner can request reimbursement for pre-approved project expenses by submitting a reimbursement request form with proof that the expenses have been paid to the contractor or supplier.

Changes in the Work

Changes in the scope of work included in the approved application must be pre-approved by the FIP Review Committee. Deviation from an approved plan may disqualify the applicant from the grant program.

Project Completion

Projects must be completed no later than December 31st of current awarded year for the March 1st application deadline. Projects must be completed no later than December 31st of the following awarded year for the September 1st application deadline. Any change in the project scope from the original application must be approved by the FIP Review Committee.

More Information

For more information please call 715-732-5139.