The Coos Bay Urban Renewal Agency (Agency) offers building improvement financing through the Urban Renewal Improvement Program for the Empire and Downtown Urban Renewal Districts (Urban Renewal District Map).

If you are interested in learning more about our Urban Renewal Improvement Program, please be sure to read all the information below on financing, qualifying projects, program criteria, rules and application process. 

Annually, the Urban Renewal Agency budgets dollars for the Urban Renewal Improvement Program. 

• Commercial tenants and/or property owners that reside within the Urban Renewal district, on a per building basis, can be considered by the Agency in any one fiscal year period (July 1 through June 30). 
• Designed to revitalize these commercial areas and support housing as a secondary use, eligible properties may be considered for grant funding. 
• Traditionally grants or loan funding is 50% of eligible project costs, but the Agency has sole discretion to increase the grant funding percentage. 
• Matching grants may be awarded up to 50% of the project cost from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $25,000. 
• Grant requests are determined by the Agency on a case-by-case basis depending on need and proposed project’s positive impact. Façade Improvement Program funds shall not be used as a replacement for normal periodic maintenance.

Qualifying Improvements

The following improvements may qualify for funding.

• Restoration of masonry, brickwork, or wood and metal cladding.
• Replacement or repair of architectural features.
• Awnings, including replacement or repair of existing awnings.
• Exterior lighting, including replacement/repair of exterior lighting.
• Gutters and downspouts.
• Windows, doors, trim.
• Entrances.
• Structural support or new construction for the façade.
• Painting (as part of a construction project).
• Sidewalks (as part of an overall project).
• Design, architectural, and engineering services, up to 15% of the total project cost, to a maximum of $7,500.
• Building improvements as regulated in CBMC Title 15 (Buildings and Construction) to accommodate housing as a secondary use.
• Building fire/life/safety improvements routinely necessary for cost effective and successful rehabilitation of older buildings including but not limited to HVAC, sprinkler systems, elevators, electrical, plumbing improvements, accessibility work and public infrastructure work related to the building improvement. For example, water and sewer lines.
• Permanent native and perennial landscaping, irrigation, and hardscape integral to project design visible to the public such as trees, landscape, walls, in-ground lighting and walkways up to 5% of a total project cost. Up to an additional 2.5% may be authorized for project landscaping if the additional funding is used for 'green' landscaping features, such as but not limited to bioswales, rain gardens, etc.
• Other improvements meeting the Program intent.

Program Criteria and Rules

The following criteria and rules apply.  

• A business owner who is a tenant will be required to provide written approval from the legal property owner.
• If multiple projects are undertaken at one building, an application must be provided for each project, and one award per project will be allowed in an fiscal year (July 1 through June 30). For façade projects, continuity of building façade improvements from year to year is required.
• For single projects, one award per building location will be allowed in any fiscal year (July 1 through June 30).
• Program funds cannot be used for routine maintenance.
• A property whose owner or tenant is in default on a municipal or Local Improvement District property taxes, special assessments, or debt to the City is not eligible.
• The Urban Renewal Agency has sole authority to determine eligibility of proposed work and acceptability of completed work.
• Certain areas, such as the Empire and waterfront areas, have design standards that must be followed as noted in the Empire Design Standards and Waterfront Heritage Design Standards. See the Empire Design Standards and Waterfront Heritage Design Standards for information.
• The applicant must agree to maintain the grant-funded improvements in good condition for not less than five (5) years and to make prompt repairs due to any vandalism and eradicate any graffiti immediately.
• Design Assistance Team review for exterior improvements is required.
• Three detailed written bids from licensed contractors shall be required for the project work unless waived by the URA.
• Identification of the project location, including Floodplain boundaries; city staff may assist you in locating this information.

Application Process

City staff will be happy to guide you through the URA Improvement Program process. There is no fee to apply for the Program. The following steps help give overview and guide you, but staff will assist along the way to ensure smooth process for applicant. 

1. URA Info Packet: Please read the URA Grant Information Packet to answer any questions.
2. Map Review: Please confirm your property is located within an Urban Renewal District. 
3. Pre-Application: Please complete the on-line Urban Renewal Pre-Application form.
   • Design Assistance Team (DAT): DAT will review pre-application and provide comments to staff prior to project review meeting
   • Staff Meeting: If your project is eligible, a project review meeting will be set up with staff and applicant. At this meeting, staff will discuss permit requirements for the project.
4. Grant Application: If pre-application is approved, please complete a URA Grant Application. 
5. Urban Renewal Agency (URA):
   • After application is submitted, the URA presentation is scheduled.
   • Applicant will present project to URA.
   • URA will make decision on grant request.
6. Grant Agreement: If approved, a grant agreement will be executed to applicant within 7-10 days business days of URA meeting. 
7. Permitting: After approval is granted, all required permits will be submitted with the City of Coos Bay. No work can commence until permit applications are approved.
8. Work Performed: Work is performed and inspected per permits.
9. Project Review: Once project is complete and all required permit inspections are done please schedule an on-site inspection with Economic Development staff. Staff will verify that all work has been completed per the grant agreement and any other requirements have been fulfilled. (Please note that all permits need to be in hand before work commences on the project, as stated in Step 7 above.)
10. Photos: Photos of completed work are required prior to reimbursement. 
11. Reimbursement: After inspection is complete, work with staff to submit paid invoices and third-party proof of contractor(s) payment to request reimbursement. 
    Providing proof of payment can be done in several ways: 
    • Canceled checks (front and back)
    • Bank statements showing cleared checks to contractor(s)
    • Credit card statements showing the charge applied against your account
    • Signed affidavits from each contractor, confirming they have been paid in full.

For more information on the Urban Renewal grant program, please contact:
City of Coos Bay Administration
administration@coosbayor.gov
541-269-8912

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