DOWNTOWN WICHITA:homepage:statistics and demographics

 

Business and Property Renovation Incentive Programs:
Attracting investment in Downtown remains a top priority of the WDDC. To help meet this goal, the following provides an overview of incentive programs geared to small business development and investment projects in Downtown. Financial incentives include:


1. Tenant Improvement Grant Fund: This program awards up to $10,000 in matching grant funds to any property or business owner to pay costs associated with renovating or preparing commercial space for occupancy. The program is geared to stimulate new investment in older, Downtown properties and attract or retain new businesses and jobs.

Property or business owners must match TI grant funds. Ground floor storefronts and commercial buildings with a vacancy rate higher than 25% qualify for matching funds at a 1:1 ratio. Commercial buildings with vacancy rates lower than 25% can qualify at a 2:1 ratio. The maximum grant award is $10,000 for any one building.

Eligible grant expenditures include interior demolition or site preparation costs as part of a comprehensive renovation project, permanent building improvements such as flooring, walls, lighting, restrooms, electrical wiring, cooking vents and hoods and other similar permanent features, improvements to meet Fire and Life Safety codes and/or Americans with Disability Act requirements, exterior improvements including signs, painting or other improvements to the outside of a building.

TI Grant Fund Program is limited. For additional information contact Ann Keefer at 507 E. Douglas or phone 264.6005.

2. Housing Grant Program: This program awards matching grant funds to any property owner to pay costs associated with renovating or preparing space for market rate, residential use or occupancy. Funds may be used to convert space formerly used for warehouse, office, retail, restaurant or other similar uses into apartments and condominiums within the center city. Property owners must match HDF grant funds on a 1:1 ratio ($1 private sector funds is matched by $1 of HDF funds).

The maximum grant award is $5,000 for one (1) housing unit developed. If multiple units are developed in a building, the maximum grant award is $10,000 for any one building.

Eligible grant expenditures include:Interior demolition or site preparation costs as part of a comprehensive renovation project; permanent building improvements such as flooring, walls, lighting, commodes, sinks, electrical wiring, cabinets, cooking vents and other similar permanent features; improvements to meet Fire and Life Safety codes and/or Americans with Disability Act requirements; architectural, engineering and legal services as part of a comprehensive project; and, exterior improvements including windows, decks, signs, painting or other improvements to the outside of a building as part of a comprehensive project.

Grants cannot be used for: land acquisition; housing units developed by constructing a new building; refurbishing existing housing units as vacancies occur to help attract new tenants; pppliances such stoves, refrigerators, washer and/or dryer, ceiling fans, etc.; furniture such as tables, chairs, couches, art work and other similar fixtures; and, renovations to support office, retail or similar commercial use.

HDF Grant funds are limited. For additional information contact Ann Keefer at 507 E. Douglas or phone 264.6005.

3. Landscaping Grant Program: This pilot program will award funds to any property or business owner to pay costs associated with landscaping surface parking lots and other publicly viewed areas in Downtown.

Property owners must match LGP grant funds on a 1:1 ratio ($1 private sector funds is matched by $1 of LGP funds). The maximum grant award is $10,000 for any one property.

Eligible grant expenditures include: trees, shrubs, flowers and other plant materials; landscaping the perimeter area of a surface parking lot between the sidewalk or public right-of-way and the lot; landscaping the interior of a surface parking lot with planting islands or peninsulas; removing paving to install interior landscaping features such as curbs or hardscape materials to designate the interior landscape area; perimeter screening of a surface parking lot may include fences, walls and berms. Fences or walls must be semi-opaque or otherwise 'visually friendly' to allow limited views into the lot. Fences or walls can be decorative masonry, brick, stucco, wrought iron or combination of materials provided the surfaces are finished for exterior use. Permanent irrigation for all landscape materials that will keep plants healthy and promote water conservation including prevention of run-off and overspray. Funds can also be used to screenr dumpsters, mechanical equipment and other similar items.

Prohibited grant expenditures include: installing only limited ground cover such as grass; chain link, split rail, barbed wire or any temporary fences; solid wood or masonry fencing adjacent to the street greater than 5 feet in height; planting areas exclusively composed of flowering plants that must be replaced annually; movable planter boxes designed to sit on sidewalks or in front of buildings; planting areas that fail to provide for easy and ongoing irrigation.

Landscaping Grant funds are limited. For additional information contact Ann Keefer at 507 E. Douglas or phone 264.6005.

4. Neighborhood Revitalization Area Tax Rebate Program: Applicants can receive a 75%, five-year tax rebate on the increased taxes actually paid as a result of new construction or building rehabilitation projects in an area that includes downtown. The maximum building permit value for commercial projects is $250,000 and multi-family dwelling projects are capped at $500,000. Historic properties can receive a 95% tax rebate on the increase in local property taxes as a result of rehabilitation and has no maximum building permit value.

The NRA Tax Rebate Program is available for non-resident property owners or owner/occupants. To qualify, applicants must be owner of record of property in the NRA boundary (this includes all of Downtown except properties within a Tax Increment Finance District); invest a minimum of $10,000; obtain necessary building permits and adhere to City building codes, rules and ordinances in effect at the time the improvements are made. The investor must also file an application for tax rebate within 180 days of the issuance of a building permit and have no delinquent taxes on the property.

For application material or more information, contact the City's Economic Development Office, Finance Department, 12th Floor, 455 N. Main Street or call 268-4502. Web address is www.wichita.gov/Business/EconomicDevelopment/ Neighborhood_Revitalization_tax.htm

5. Douglas Street Façade Improvement Program: This City program provides a combination grant and loan program for property or business owners to renovate the exterior of buildings facing Douglas Street between Seneca and Washington Streets. The program provides a forgivable loan of $15,000 or 25% of the project, whichever is less, for buildings of less than four stories. The remaining renovation costs can be financed over 15 years at a low interest rate. For more information, contact Bill Morris at (316) 268.4685.

6. Historic Preservation Tax Credits: The State of Kansas and the federal government can provide up to a 45% tax credit for the cost of renovating income producing, historic buildings. To qualify, properties must be listed on the National Register of Historic Places or be a contributing structure within a National Register Historic District. Tax credits are also available for non-historic buildings constructed before 1936. As projects must follow established rehabilitation standards to qualify for the tax credits, investors are required to submit a proposed renovation plan to the State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service for pre-certification. For more information contact Kathy Morgan with the Metropolitan Area Planning Department at 455 North Main Street, 10th Floor or phone (316) 268.4421. Web information is available at www.wichita.gov/CityOffices/Planning/Preservation/default.htm

The following is an overview of non-financial incentives to assist and support business development and investment in Downtown:

Building Data and Site Analysis: The WDDC maintains a comprehensive data base of all downtown properties that identifies property owners, contact information, size, lease or sales information and other similar data. While not a real estate broker, the WDDC can review data and examine strengths and weaknesses of prospective sites or properties on a free and confidential basis. For more information contact Ann Keefer at 507 E. Douglas or phone 264.6005.

Market Data: Detailed census and demographic information for downtown and the surrounding market area is available through the WDDC. Compiled by Wichita State University, the data can help prospective entrepreneurs or investors better evaluate projects targeting the center city. For more information contact Ann Keefer, 507 E. Douglas or phone 264.6005.

Business Support: The Merchants of Old Town Association (MOTA) consists of owners and managers of retail and professional service firms within the Old Town area. The organization coordinates joint merchandising and promotional efforts, special events, advocacy, education and ongoing networking opportunities. For more information contact D.J. Burk at 230 N. Mosley or phone (316) 262.3555. Web address is www.oldtownwichita.com

Common Area Maintenance: The City of Wichita and the WDDC provide a range of services including cleanliness, parking management, security, graffiti removal, special event coordination and other programs to insure the center city remains a good place to live, work, visit and play. For more information contact Ann Keefer at 507 E. Douglas or phone 264.6005.

Economic Conditions and Technical Assistance: The WDDC, in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce, Wichita State University, the Economic Development Coalition, the Convention and Visitors Bureau and others, compiles and monitors data about development trends and patterns in Downtown and the community. The groups track business openings and closures, public and private investment, employment trends, planned development projects and other similar information. For more information contact Ann Keefer at 507 E. Douglas or phone 264.6005.

The community has several organizations that can provide business financing and counseling services. The Wichita Downtown Development Corporation aggressively networks with several entities and can help refer you to the right organization. Contact the WDDC at 316.264.6005 for more information.