Label
ARPA White Box Grant Program
Department of Economic Development
Sandy Spang (x1641) / Brandon Sehlhorst (x1692)
Revised
Title
Authorizing the Mayor and Department of Economic Development to implement a White Box Grant (“WBG”) Program; approving and authorizing the execution of agreements and other documents required in the execution of the WBG program; authorizing the appropriation and expenditure of $500,000 from the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund for the White Box Grant Program; and declaring and emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
The city is the recipient of $180.9 million through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to be used to address the public health and negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Toledo Recovery Plan framework (authorized by Ordinance 530-21), which outlines the city’s projects that will be funded through ARPA, includes $500,000 for the “White Boxing” Vacant Building program. The “White Boxing” Buildings Program is one part of the city’s overall Vibrancy Initiative.
The Vibrancy Initiative is designed to enhance the city’s vitality by supporting revitalization efforts that will create jobs, reduce blight, and preserve and improve structures in low-and-moderate income census tracts. The Vibrancy Initiative is a comprehensive approach to revitalization that addresses building exteriors through the Façade Improvement Grant and vacant first floor commercial interiors through the White Box Grant (“WBG”).
The WBG program helps property owners bring vacant commercial first-floor spaces, located in low- to moderate-income census tracts, up to current code to create a functional "white box" space ready for customization and occupancy by a business. The program provides a matching grant of $25,000 to $75,000 for first-floor, interior renovation expenses. Building owners are required to provide a 30% match and must either occupy the space as a business owner or actively market the space for lease.
This ordinance requests the appropriation of $500,000 from the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to fund the White Box Grant program, to be administered by the Department of Economic Development.
Summary
NOW, THEREFORE, Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That the Mayor and Department of Economic Development are authorized to implement a White Box Grant program pursuant to the program guidelines provided in Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated herein.
SECTION 2. That the Mayor may award grants and enter into any necessary agreements in accordance with the White Box Grant program guidelines, subject to the terms and conditions deemed proper and requisite according to the Director of Law and the Director of Economic Development, not to exceed the aggregate amount of $500,000.
SECTION 3. That the appropriation of $500,000 is authorized from the unappropriated balance of the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to Account Code 2021-16400-5WHITEBOXPNEI and the expenditure of same is authorized for the White Box Grant Program.
SECTION 4. That the Finance Director is authorized to issue warrant or warrants against the account code identified in Section 3 in amounts not to exceed $500,000 in payment of the above authorized obligations upon the proper voucher or vouchers.
SECTION 5. That this Ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force immediately from and after its passage. The reason for the emergency lies in the fact that same is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety and property and for the further reason that this Ordinance must be immediately effective to facilitate the White Box Grant Program.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas _____, nays _____.
Passed: _________________, as an emergency measure: yeas _____, nays _____.
Attest: ________________________ __________________________________
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: _____________________ __________________________________
Mayor
I hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of an Ordinance passed by Council ________________________.
Attest: ________________________
Clerk of Council