The City of Oxford has created a new funding opportunity for property owners of commercial sites in Oxford that provides capital for up to $10,000 or 50% of costs for projects to demolish structures or prepare sites for development.
Use of Funds:
The grant can be used for either demolition of site-readiness projects to prepare commercial property sites, including but not limited to;
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Demolition:
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Site Readiness:
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Grant Details:
The award amount can vary, up to 50% of project costs, with a maximum award amount of $10,000 for any application. Awards may also vary based on the program’s remaining resources. This program is intended to reimburse property owners for significant demolition or site readiness projects they complete at a commercially zoned property location within the incorporated limits of the City of Oxford, Ohio. Funds will be released only after a project, and related payments are completed and documentation verifying the completion of the associated project and full payment is provided to the program administrator.
Eligibility:
All commercially zoned, non-residential properties located within the incorporated limits of City of Oxford are eligible for this program. The grant funds may only be applied to one project per property, although that project may require multiple steps, or purchases from multiple contractors, vendors, etc.
For projects completed within the Uptown Historic District a Certificate of Appropriateness for the proposed project must be included with application materials to be considered eligible for funding.
Funding Requirements:
Applicants must provide documentation of all costs, invoices, and expenses once the project is completed. Only projects that spend funds, as outlined in the application, will be eligible to receive funds.
Upon request, City Planning staff will work with applicants to ensure proposed projects meet guidelines and are feasible for the timeline.
Application Timeline:
Applications will be reviewed in the order in which they were received by the Oxford Community Improvement Corporation. Depending on volume of applications, some delays are anticipated. Applications will be reviewed in a timely manner but may take up to 90 days for final funding decisions to be made.
This is a grant reimbursement program. Once you are notified you are eligible to receive an award you have one calendar year to complete the project for which you applied. Once that project is completed, applicants must provide all documentation, including receipts, invoices, photos, etc. before funds will be released.
Decision Process:
Grant applications will be reviewed by the Oxford Community Improvement Corporation (CIC). Application eligibility will be determined based on a variety of criteria, including;
- Property eligibility.
- Nature and scope of the project.
- Positive impact on the Oxford business community.
- Total project costs.
- Remaining program fund balance.
View the Demolition & Site Readiness Grant Application
Demolition & Site Readiness Program FAQ
An applicant for this grant program must meet ALL of the criteria listed below
- Applicants must be the legal owner of a commercial or mixed use (non-residential) property within the Incorporated limits of the City of Oxford, Ohio.
- The property that is subject of an application to this program must not have any outstanding violations, fines, fees or other penalties that are related to health and safety of the general public.
A wide variety of projects may qualify for this program.
Only projects that directly impact commercial property location are eligible for this program. Eligible projects will be located at sites within one of the following official “Zoning Districts” within the City of Oxford.
- RO, Office Residential District
- NB, Neighborhood Business District
- GB, General Business District
- UP, Uptown District
- OI, Office & Light Industrial District
- LI, Light Industrial District
Demolition projects include those that remove all or part of an existing primary or accessory structure at a commercial property site.
Site Readiness projects are those that include significant site preparation work, ahead of a construction project.
- Earthwork, excavation, irrigation, and/or surface preparation or grading, etc.
- Infrastructure development, including development of utilities, access/egress development, etc.
- Site remediation including the removal of debris or vegetation, environmental clean-up, etc.
Applicants must provide the following to be considered for an award:
- Description of your project location, scope, and goals.
- Current digital photos of current site conditions, including existing structures, vegetation, etc.
- Copies of all required and completed permits associated with the project, as submitted to the City of Oxford Community Development Department.
- These would include Demolition Permits, Building Permits, etc.
- For projects in the Uptown Historic District, an applicant must include a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic and Architectural Preservation Commission.
- Estimates for project costs, including but not limited to;
- Signed vendor estimate(s) with detailed costs for each proposed portion of the project.
- Cost estimates for goods, equipment, supplies, etc. needed to complete the project.
- Completed IRS Form W-9 Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification.
Following the completion of the project, and in order to receive funds, applicants must provide the following:
- Documentation of all paid project costs and expenses, including receipts and invoices.
- Digital photos documenting the completed improvements or upgrades.
- Additional documentation may be required before funds will be released to a recipient.
Yes, applicants may utilize this program as part of a capital stack that includes additional funding sources, including grants, etc.
However, funds provided by the Demolition and Site Readiness Program;
- Will not exceed 50% of the total project costs.
- Will not exceed a 1-to-1 match of funds provided by the property owner.
Example: If a demolition project has a total cost of $35,000 and receives grant funding from a State grant funding program of $20,000, the City of Oxford Demolition and Site Readiness Grant Program can provide up to 50% of the remaining project balance, or $7,500.
- $35,000 (total project costs) - $20,000 (State of Ohio grant program) = $15,000 (remaining project costs).
- The City of Oxford could provide up to 50% of $15,000 (remaining project costs), or $7,500 (total possible award) with a property owner contribution of $7,500.
Applications and documentation may be submitted in one of three ways.
- All materials may be submitted in-person to the City of Oxford Municipal Building at 15 S. College Ave. to the first-floor Utility Billing reception area, to the attention of Seth Cropenbaker.
- All materials may be submitted via traditional mail to the City of Oxford Municipal Building at 15 S. College Ave. Oxford, OH 45056, to the attention of Seth Cropenbaker.
- All materials may be submitted via email to Seth Cropenbaker at, SCropenbaker@CityofOxford.org.
No, once submitted an application cannot be edited or changed.
However you may withdraw and submit a new application with the updated information. There is no limit to the number of applications a business may submit.
To withdraw, resubmit, or discuss your Façade & Sustainability Grant Program application submission contact Seth Cropenbaker at, SCropenbaker@CityofOxford.org.
Applications will be reviewed in the order in which they were received by the Oxford Community Improvement Corporation. Depending on volume of applications, some delays are anticipated. Applications will be reviewed in a timely manner but may take up to 90 days for final funding decisions to be made.
This is a grant reimbursement program. Once you are notified you are eligible to receive an award you have one calendar year to complete the project for which you applied. Once that project is completed, provide all documentation, including receipts, invoices, photos, etc. before funds will be released.