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The Margate Community Redevelopment Agency (“MCRA”) Board has approved Two Million Dollars to be distributed for the MCRA’s Property Improvement Program as follows:

• $1,500,000 for eligible Commercial Properties within the MCRA boundaries

• $500,000 for eligible individually owned single-family, condominium, and multi-family properties within the MCRA boundaries

The reimbursement grant is for comprehensive fixed capital and other improvements to the property. The intent of the program is to meet the MCRA’s statutory purposes, including but not limited to the rehabilitation of buildings or other improvements in accordance with the MCRA Community Redevelopment Plan. Further, the MCRA PIP is offered in order to encourage property and business owners to restore, renovate and improve their property, thereby improving the area's visual quality and attractiveness and increasing property values.

Eligible Properties - Click here to see if your property is eligible.

• Commercial properties located within the boundaries of the MCRA with frontage on major roadways such as Atlantic Blvd, State Road 7, Banks Road, Copans Road/Royal Palm Blvd, etc., are eligible for a 50% reimbursement grant up to $750,000. The maximum eligible amount of the grant is calculated based on $1,500 per linear foot for the first 100 linear feet and $1,000 per linear foot thereafter of the longest side of the parcel that faces the eligible arterial road.
• Commercial properties (applicant may be the building owner or a tenant with owner's approval).
• Individually owned single-family homes, condos, and multi-family homesteaded properties located within the MCRA boundaries are eligible for a grant of up to $10,000. Eligible residential properties need not be located on arterial roadways.
• Veteran non-profit-owned commercial buildings* - health, safety, sanitary, and ADA improvements only.
• Veteran non-profit tenants of commercial buildings* - health, safety, sanitary, and ADA improvements only.

*Not required to be on a frontage road. Eligible amount based upon 50% of estimate(s) submitted, not linear footage.

Eligible Improvements

The PIP grant includes any fixed improvements to the exterior of the property. Minor interior work may be included as part of a comprehensive exterior renovation. The following list contains items that may be considered within the scope of work:

• Façade renovations that comply with MCRA Design Guidelines
• Exterior painting
• Exterior lighting
• Signage
• Landscaping
• Driveway improvements/replacement (addition, widening, circular, pavers, concrete, etc.); asphalt driveways not eligible
• Paving of parking areas, walkways, or patios
• Impact-resistant windows and doors (residential only unless part of an overall Façade improvement)
• Air-conditioning (residential only)
  • Central air only - if converting from window units currently visible from public right-of-way
• Roof repair or replacement (if visible from public right-of-way) (residential only unless part of an overall Façade improvement)
• Structural repair (residential only unless part of an overall Façade improvement)
• Concrete restoration (residential only unless part of an overall Façade improvement)
• Electrical work (residential only unless part of an overall Façade improvement)
• Plumbing work, including cast iron pipe replacement (residential only unless part of an overall Façade improvement)
• Fencing (Designer fence, i.e. PVC, iron); chain link and wood fence not eligible (residential only)
• Veteran non-profit commercial property owner/tenant - health, safety, sanitary, and ADA improvements only, including air-conditioning improvements.

Ineligible Properties

• Properties not located within the MCRA boundary.
• Individually owned residential properties that are not homesteaded.
• Properties listed for sale.
• Properties in foreclosure, bankruptcy proceedings, or any other active litigation regarding the property.
• Properties with City or County liens – Other liens are to be considered on a case-by-case basis. 
• Properties with active Florida Building Code or City violation(s) – To be considered on a case-by-case basis as to whether the proposed improvements will resolve the violation(s) or if the violations must be corrected prior to the approval of grant funding.
• Properties that have received other Margate grant funds (i.e. SHIP, HOME, CDBG, PIP) or Margate CRA grant funds within the last five (5) years.

Ineligible for funding

• Duplication of funding – Funding for improvements already funded by other federal, state, municipal, or private sources, grants, or as part of an insurance claim, settlement, or similar is not eligible. 
• Funding for work that has already commenced at the time of application submittal, review, or approval.
• Funding for work that already has submitted or approved permits at the time of application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Terms and Conditions

Grants are limited to properties located within the boundaries of the Margate CRA. Program funding is contingent upon an annual appropriation by the Board of the Margate CRA. The Margate CRA reserves the right to cancel this program at any time, prior to grant approval, without notice if sufficient funds are determined unavailable. The Margate CRA retains the right to display and advertise properties that receive PIP funding.

The Margate CRA reserves and delegates to the MCRA Executive Director the right to determine that a project does not meet the MCRA statutory purposes or the intent of the PIP Program, which is intended to improve the area's visual quality and attractiveness and increase property values.

Initial Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Incomplete initial applications will move down the application list until considered complete by MCRA staff. The order of grant-funded project approval will vary based upon the date all plans and permits are received and approved.

Grant funding will be provided on a reimbursement basis contingent upon final, approved inspections from all applicable governmental entities and submittal and staff verification of receipts and other documents related to any authorized expenditures.

PIP Application Checklist

The following checklist may not include all items specific to the Program or your project. Please contact the MCRA at cra@margatefl.com or at 954-935-5324 if you have any questions regarding program requirements.

What documentation do I need to apply for the Property Improvement Program Grant?

• Driver’s License or other government-issued ID with a photo
• Proof of commercial property ownership or commercial tenant lease
• Proof of residential homesteaded property ownership (i.e. recent BCPA printout)
• Proof of veteran non-profit status (if applicable)
• Before image(s) of the area of your property that you plan to improve
• Architectural plans (if applicable)
• Landscape plans (if applicable)
• Material samples (pavers, awnings, light fixtures, etc. – if applicable)
• Contractor Name and License Number (when applicable)
• Minimum of one (1) bid/estimate from licensed contractors for EACH ITEM in scope of work.
• Approval of plans:
  • Approval of plans by property owner for commercial tenant applicants
  • Approval of plans by Association for improvements to individually owned homes, condos, or other multi-family property that is governed by an Association or CDD
• Letter of Consent to submit an application - from property owner (for commercial tenants). Note: RESIDENTIAL ONLY - ONE PROJECT PER PROPERTY. Example: Impact-resistant items, such as doors and windows, may be considered as one project. Roof replacement and windows are considered two projects.

What documentation do I need to provide for reimbursement by the CRA for the Property Improvement Program Grant?

• Invoices
• Proof of partial and final payments to contractor (cash payments or cash transfers not accepted)
• Permit closeout documents – final inspection, certificate of occupancy, etc. NOTE: Work that has already commenced at the time of application submission, review, or approval, is not eligible for funding.
• W-9 Tax Form completed (in order for MCRA to be able to send the grant funds)
• After improvement images

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