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Historic Preservation Commission Technical Assistance ProgramPlanning Services Department City Hall 50 West 13s1 Street Dubuque, IA 52001 -4864 (563) 589 -4210 phone (563) 589 -4221 fax (563) 690 -6678 TDD planning@cityofdubuque.org The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members City of Dubuque City Hall -50 W. 13th Street Dubuque, IA 52001 THE CITY OF Masterpiece on the Mississippi RE: Historic Preservation Technical Assistance Program Dear Mayor and City Council Members: Dubuque All-AnistaCIty 2007 November 9, 2012 Attached for your consideration is a brochure describing a new Historic Preservation Technical Assistance Program to help property owners prepare preservation tax credit applications, with a priority on small projects. The program offers incentives to owners of historic properties to maintain and improve the community's historic and architectural heritage while taking advantage of historic tax credits. It provides 50:50 matching grant funds for preparation of federal and state historic tax credit applications, with an emphasis on the State of Iowa's small projects fund (that can provide up to 20% for residential and income - producing projects under $500,000). Any qualified technical assistance for preparing Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of Historic Tax Credit Applications and supporting documentation, such as historic research and evaluation, tax accounting, design, architectural, and /or engineering expenses. This program is funded by CIP # 240 -2431 and # 102 -2431 with $15,000 annually. The Commission recommends that the assistance be capped at $5,000 per project. The intention is to help applicants access the State's Small Projects category (projects under $500,000), which is not a competitive program like the tax credit program most Dubuque projects are using. The State has a substantial balance in the Small Projects category, and this new program will help Dubuque applicants access these funds. The Commission recommends approval of the program guidelines on a trial basis. As this is a new program, the Commission will monitor the program's progress, and then recommend adjustments as needed. A simple majority vote is needed for the City Council to concur with the recommendation. Respectfully submitted, David Klavitter, Chairperson Historic Preservation Commission F:IUSERS1Djohnson \Council ItemsMist Pres Tech Assist Council Letter.doc Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork Purpose The Historic Preservation Technical Assistance Program (TAP) offers incen- tives to owners of historic properties to maintain and improve the community's historic and architectural heritage while taking advantage of historic tax credits. This program provides 50:50 matching grant funds to assist with soft costs associated with state and federal his- toric preservation tax credit applica- tions. Eligible expenses include architec- tural, accounting, and qualified preser- vation professional fees. Preference is given to projects that qual- ify for the State of Iowa's Small Projects program (projects under $500,000). The State Historic Tax Credit Small Pro- jects program makes available up to 25% of qualified rehabilitation costs as a credit against the owner(s) state in- come taxes. Properties do not need to be income - producing. TAP also provides 50:50 matching grant funds for preparing National Register of Historic Places nomination for a property or district. Historic Preservation Tax Credits For more information about historic tax credit programs, please contact: Beth Foster -Hill Tax Credit Coordinator State Historic Preservation Office Phone: (515) 2814137 Email: beth.foster @iowa.gov. For more information about TAP, please contact:: Planning Services Department City Hall 50 W. 13th Street Dubuque IA 52001 -4864 Phone: (563) 589 -4210 Email: planning @cityofdubuque.org Masterpiece on the Mississippi Dubuque MI-America City 2012 City of Dubuque Historic Preservation Commission HISTORIC PRESERVATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP) 1 Applicant Eligibility The owner of any property at least 50 years old with architectural or historical significance located in a local Historic District, Conservation District, or is a designated City Landmark, or is individu- ally listed on the City of Dubuque historic register. If the property is not listed on the local register, it must be designated to qualify for TAP funds. The architectural or historical signifi- cance of the property is based on the City of Dubuque's historic property in- ventory . Grant Amount/Terms This program provides up to $5,000 in 50:50 matching grant funds for prepar- ing state and federal historic tax credit applications. For example, a historic tax credit project with eligible soft costs ex- ceeding $10,000 would be reimbursed the maximum $5,000 once the project is complete. A project with $8,500 in eligible soft costs would be reimbursed $4,250. Application Process Assistance with the application is available during regular business hours or by appoint- ment at the Planning Services Department, City Hall — 50 W. 13th Street, Dubuque, Iowa. Applicants are encouraged to meet with Planning Services staff prior to filing the application. Applications must include a completed Plan - ning Application Form and a detailed descrip- tion of the proposed project. Applications must also include the Part 1 and Part 2 Tax Credit Applications approved and on -file with the State Historic Preservation Office. Review & Approval The Planning Services staff will review and approve the TAP application. All applicable licenses, inspections and permits must be obtained before any work begins. Work begun prior to having a required permit, review or approval is not eligible. Program funds will be reimbursed by the City of Dubuque to the property owner AFTER the rehabilitation project is complete and the tax credit certificate is provided to the Planning Services Department. Eligible Improvements All work must conform with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilita- tion and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Building. The following is a link to these federal standards and guidelines: www.nps.gov/hps/tps/standguide Property owners cannot receive program assistance unless their properties are in compliance with City Codes or the owner is actively working towards compliance. Projects will receive a lower priority if the property owner previously has received assistance under this program. Eligible Expenses Technical assistance for preparing Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 Historic Tax Credit Applications and supporting documenta- tion, such as architectural, accounting, and qualified preservation professional expenses.