Label
White Box Grant Program
Department of Economic Development
Sandy Spang (x1641) / Brandon Sehlhorst (x1692)
Title
Authorizing the Mayor and Department of Economic Development to implement a White Box Grant Program; authorizing the Mayor to enter into program grant agreements; authorizing, subject to annual appropriations, the expenditure of funds from the General Fund for the White Box Grant Program; and declaring an emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
The White Box Grant Program addresses chronic vacancy in Toledo's Downtown and neighborhood commercial corridors. The program is part of the city's Vibrancy Initiative, a comprehensive approach to revitalization that addresses building exteriors through the Fa?ade Improvement Grant and vacant first floor commercial interiors through the White Box Grant ("WBG"). The Vibrancy Initiative is designed to enhance the city's vitality by supporting revitalization efforts that create jobs, reduce blight, and preserve and improve buildings.
The WBG program helps property owners bring vacant, commercial, first-floor spaces up to current codes to create a functional "white box" space ready for customization and occupancy by a business. The program provides a matching grant of up to $75,000 for first-floor, interior renovation expenses that address accessibility, building code and fire code deficiencies. 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 authorizes, subject to annual appropriation, the expenditure of funds from the General Fund for the White Box Grant program, to be administered by the Department of Economic Development. For fiscal year 2023, an amount of 300,000 was included in the approved operating budget for this purpose.
Summary
NOW, THEREFORE, Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That the Mayor and Department of Economic Development ar...
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