LOAN PROGRAMS

To assist property owners and encourage living opportunities, CCDC created two loan programs: Focus on Downtown, a Façade Improvement Program, to aid property and business owners in rehabilitating the commercial facades of their properties, and the CalReUSE Program, to assist property owners and developers by providing low interest loans up to $125,000 to finance the cost of performing assessments of contamination and the steps required to clean it up.

Focus On Downtown

Façade Improvement Program

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A BROCHURE [PDF 1.6MB]

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PROGRAM GUIDELINES [PDF 124KB]

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM [WORD 289KB]

"Focus on Downtown, a Façade Improvement Program" was created by CCDC as part of an overall redevelopment program to improve the quality of life Downtown. The Program is designed to assist property and business owners in rehabilitating the commercial facades of their properties for the purpose of creating a positive visual impact, stimulating private investment, and complementing other community revitalization efforts. Participants are eligible to receive a rehabilitation rebate upon the completion of their project. In addition, participants are eligible for free design assistance to help in planning their project.

Summary of program guidelines and requirements

Eligibility
Property owners and business owners/tenants lessees, with written authorization of the property owner, may be eligible to participate in the program. A business owner must have a current lease with a minimum of 3 years remaining or have been operating in downtown San Diego for more than 5 years. The following types of projects are specifically excluded:

• New Construction
• National Franchises
• Government offices and agencies
• Properties entirely in residential use
• Projects that are inconsistent with the goals of CCDC, the redevelopment plan and the community plan
• Properties that have received rebates from the City's Storefront Improvement Program or CCDC's Focus on Downtown within the last 5 years

Program Boundary [PDF 1.2MB]
Properties located Downtown within the redevelopment project area are eligible for participation in the program. Properties located within the C Street Focus Area (on C St. between Park Blvd. and India St.) are eligible to receive higher amount of rebates.

Design Assistance
Participants may receive free design assistance/architectural services. Architects and designers are under contract with CCDC to provide design assistance and architectural services, and will be assigned to a project when requested by a participant.

Rebate – Forgivable Loan
The Program provides Participants the opportunity to receive a rebate up to the maximum amounts, in the form of a loan forgivable over a five (5) year period, for rehabilitation purposes upon the completion of their facade renovation Project. Participants may receive a rebate of one dollar ($1.00) for every three dollars ($3.00) spent on the Project up to the appropriate maximum rebate amounts listed below. For example, a single non-historic storefront Participant in the downtown area who spends thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) for approved costs on the Project is eligible to receive a rebate in an amount up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

* The subject property must be designated by the City of San Diego Historical Resources Board.

Financing Your Project [PDF 569KB]
In addition to the rebates offered by this Program, Participants may also take advantage of existing small business finance programs offered by independent companies or organizations which provide low interest rate loans. CDC Small Business Finance provides below-market rate loans of up to two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) for a variety of uses, not limited to façade improvements, including equipment purchases and tenant improvements. If a Participant is interested in taking advantage of the products offered by CDC, please contact Susan Lamping at CDC: Telephone: (619) 243-8639; Email: slamping@cdcloans.com

Deposit
Participants will be required to provide a $250 deposit to be due prior to the initial design meeting. If the participant, completes the project, this deposit is refunded. If the participant does not complete the project, the deposit is forfeited and used to defray the costs associated with the provision of architectural services.

General Conditions

• Funds are limited and participation is subject to funding availability.
• Project must provide a comprehensive Facade Improvement; ie. include several eligible elements of improvement.
• Participants must have a "Notice to Proceed" from CCDC "prior" to commencing work on their project.
• Participant will be responsible for managing the construction of their project, including obtaining bids, selecting a licensed contractor, obtaining all necessary approvals and permits, and overseeing work of contractor.
• The subject property must have no outstanding code violations, or address/correct outstanding code violations as part of the project.
• Projects must be completed within one year.

Eligible Improvements
In general, improvements that contribute to the visual enhancement of the property as viewed from the public right of way may be eligible. Examples of eligible improvements include painting, lighting, windows, doors, tile, storefronts, signage, canopies and awnings.

Ineligible Improvements
Roofs, non-permanent fixtures, security systems, personal property, interior window coverings, equipment, and any improvements not visible from the public right of way are not eligible, nor are improvements deemed to be inconsistent with redevelopment objectives.

For More Information
For more information or to request an application, please contact:
Eri Kameyama, Associate Project Manager
Centre City Development Corporation
225 Broadway, Ste. 1100
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone (619) 533-7177
Fax (619) 236-9148
email: kameyama@ccdc.com

If your property is not located within the Downtown redevelopment areas, you may be eligible to participate in the City of San Diego's Storefront Improvement Program. Please contact the City of San Diego's Office of Small Business at (619) 685-1390.

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CalReUSE Program

Uncertainty about the need for assessment and the process involved with determining property contamination and its extent can be lessened through CalReUSE, a $10 million program of the California Pollution Control Financing Authority, chaired by State Treasurer Philip Angelides.

The program focuses on the challenge of brownfields, and aims to help localities reduce environmental degradation, revitalize neighborhoods and support sustainable growth patterns. Achieving success will broaden economic opportunity in California communities.

The program enables selected cities to issue loans to property owners and development entities to pay for site assessment and characterization, technical assistance, remedial action plans and site access..

"The objective of CalReUSE is to encourage development of brownfield properties," said Mayor Dick Murphy. "CCDC has an excellent track record as a leading agency in remediation, and we are excited about the opportunities of this new loan program to assist with the process to clean up properties in downtown San Diego."

CCDC represents one of three cities selected for CalReUSE. The corporation will be administering this loan program on behalf of the State of California for the benefit of property owners and developers faced with land contamination issues within downtown San Diego.

As part of its efforts to redefine downtown San Diego, CCDC is investing $1 million of its CalReUSE grant to assist property owners and developers with the cost of performing assessments of the amount of contamination or perceived contamination involved and what steps will be required to clean it up. The objective is ultimately to reduce environmental degradation, revitalize neighborhoods and support sustainable growth.

Loan Terms
Property owners and developers who are involved with the development of properties within San Diego's 1,500-acre downtown redevelopment project areas are eligible to participate in this program. Individual loans may be made up to $125,000.

Application Process
Loan application forms and copies of the State of California regulations are available by contacting David Allsbrook, Manager of Contracting and Public Works, at (619) 533-7112 or allsbrook@ccdc.com

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