Residential Opportunities on Main Street (ROOMS)

Residential Opportunities on Main Street (ROOMS) is sponsored by Kansas Department of Commerce. Funds to support new upper-floor housing in Designated Kansas Main Street Communities.

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Taxes, Credits, & Exemptions To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards Corporate & Professional Services Food Processing and Manufacturing Energy & Natural Resources Residential Opportunities on Main Street (ROOMS) Grant Program The goal of this grant program is to encourage renovation and improvements in the upper floors of commercial buildings in local Main Street districts consistent with proven Main Street practices, including those that retain unique historic elements and use materials that lower operating costs by conserving energy.

The expected outcome of this program is to create new housing opportunities in downtown commercial districts; rehabilitate or preserve properties; and create a stronger tax base. Main Street is a self-help, technical assistance program that targets revitalization and preservation of downtown districts through the development of a comprehensive strategy.

The program has a long history of success throughout the United States and in Kansas. What started as a small pilot program in the late 1970s has now grown to include nearly 2,000 communities in more than 40 states. Throughout the country, communities have utilized the Main Street Approach TM to rally residents around a focused plan of action that transforms their community and enhances their quality of life.

Downtown housing enhances the overall livability and functionality of downtown, leads to increased investment, improved infrastructure, and a positive cycle of economic growth, and fosters a greater sense of place and community identity. A significant amount of unused upper-floor space is available throughout the state and this space could be available for loft-type housing.

Many rural communities, however, lack the incentives to address this issue and many local property owners just don’t know where to begin with this type of development.

The goal of this grant program is to encourage renovation and improvements in the upper floors of commercial buildings in local Main Street districts consistent with proven Main Street practices, including those that retain unique historic elements and use materials that lower operating costs by conserving energy.

The expected outcome of this program is to create new housing opportunities in downtown commercial districts; rehabilitate or preserve properties; and create a stronger tax base. ROOMS Grant Program Guidelines Only active, Designated Kansas Main Street programs will be eligible to apply. Kansas Main Street will provide a workshop to explain the program and help communities understand the parameters.

Local Main Street programs requesting funds from this program will be required to participate in the workshop. Applicant Responsibilities The applicants MUST include architect drawings of the redevelopment, as well as an analysis of existing local codes to ensure the property can be completed as planned. Bids, along with a pro forma analysis and a business plan for the project, must be included.

The local Main Street program will write and submit the application. Kansas Main Street and Quality Places Division staff will review all applications for eligibility, project impact within the designated Main Street district, design appropriateness and innovation. Successful applicants will be notified in writing of the grant awards.

If project is funded, the property owner must complete the project as presented in the application and supply the local Main Street program with a detailed budget showing sources and uses of funds. The funds are public money and, as such, are subject to the Kansas Open Records Act.

Local Main Street programs must agree to provide Kansas Main Street with appropriate budget information and expenditures and must agree to provide a summary report—including before/during/after photographs—at the conclusion of the project.

Kansas Main Street also reserves the right to share this information, including photographs of each project for educational and promotional purposes to further the mission of commercial district revitalization in the context of historic preservation. A maximum of $250,000 in funds will be awarded to eligible applicants for projects designed to create or improve upper-floor spaces within Designated Kansas Main Street communities.

Each eligible local applicant may receive a single $50,000 grant (maximum). The grant funds must be matched and will be available to the property owner. The local Main Street program must be the applicant on behalf of the local property owner(s) as the grant beneficiary.

A minimum 1:1 cash match is required for each grant awarded. Non-cash or in-kind match is not allowed. Non-cash match includes the value of sweat equity (labor provided by the recipient or their immediate or expanded family, friends or employees at no cost) regardless of whether that person performs such a service as a legally operating business.

Non-cash match also includes the value of gifts of equipment or materials used during any part of the project. In-kind match includes the value of any labor, materials or equipment provided at no cost to the project. Additional consideration is given to applicants providing more than the minimum match requirement.

No more than one award may be made to a single multi-phased project or to a local Main Street organization. Match money may only be used once on any project; if additional awards are sought, all new match money must be provided. The Secretary of Commerce has the final decision on funding any project.

The rehabilitation of properties in connection with private reinvestment in a designated downtown area with the specific intent of creating and/or improving upper-floor space for long-term housing. Any project that can be shown to lead directly to housing creation or retention specifically in upper floors of existing buildings in the designated downtown area. Property must be in Designated Kansas Main Street Communities.

Property must be in the downtown business district and hold architectural significance for the district. Projects must show potential for reuse and revitalization as economic drivers in the community and be an identified project in the local Main Street organization’s Transformation Strategy. The awarded project may include funding from any state or federal source if there is no duplication of benefit.

Examples include CDBG, USDA Rural Development, state or national Historic Preservation Office programs, RHID, MIH, KHITC, REAP, IWW, local/state/federal tax credits, or local Network Kansas programs. Projects must incorporate Main Street Design Standards and follow local ordinances and code for rehab/construction/façade improvements. Award recipients are required to sign a contract agreeing to the conditions of the program.

Projects must begin construction no later than April 1, 2026, with construction complete by February 1, 2028, with a tenant in place by April 1, 2028. NOTE: Site cleanup, removal of debris, and demolition do not qualify as construction. No more than one grant may be awarded to any city.

Work must not begin before the award of the grant except for removal of façade slipcovers such as metal, stucco, tiles, stone veneer, or cleaning out the building in preparation for construction. Work previously completed is not eligible for this grant program Public improvements and public or private infrastructure. Projects that have already been started or completed.

Projects that do not meet the minimum private investment match. Landscaping projects on public or private property, including paving, plants, trees, fencing, etc. Any licensing, insurance, taxes or other expenses considered to be a cost of doing business. Any project outside the pre-determined boundaries of a local downtown district.

Any project that does not meet Main Street design criteria as outlined in the local or state Design Manual. Any project that could/would be completed without the assistance of these grant funds. The local grant recipient/property owner will be responsible for obtaining any required permits from the local governing body.

The state and local programs reserve the right to cancel the grant agreement in the event of failure to comply with the outlined schedule or if unauthorized changes are made in the project. The local business and local Main Street program must give access to any records, documents, or other information, confidential or otherwise, regarding or relating to the execution and/or performance of the specific local projects.

The project proposed addresses a local Transformational Strategy The project has long-term impact on the downtown district Housing creation or retention Has potential to have long-term impact on the tax base Rooms 3. 0 Application Guidelines Additional technical assistance, including architectural design, could be provided by the state program if budget permits.

These additional requests must be submitted and completed prior to submission of an application. Want to learn more about Kansas Main Street? Incentives & Financing, Taxes, Credits & Exemptions, Site Selection, Doing Business in Kansas Infrastructure assessment, community planning, development support, and downtown activation Find a Job, Job Seeker Services, Employer Services Plan your trip to Kansas.

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