brownfield redevelopmeNT community improvmeNT plan (CIP)
The City’s Brownfield Redevelopment CIP offers incentives to encourage the study, clean-up, and redevelopment of properties that may be contaminated by previous uses.
· The Feasibility Study Grant Program offers up to $7,500 (50% of the total study costs) for an eligible feasibility study (e.g. structural analysis, evaluation of mechanical/electrical systems, concept plans, market analysis).
· The Environmental Site Assessment Grant Program offers up to $15,000 (50% of the total study cost) toward a Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), designated substances and hazardous materials survey, remedial action plan, or risk assessment. If two studies are required the program can offer up to $25,000.
· If the Phase 2 ESA report indicates remediation or risk assessment work is the Brownfields Tax Assistance and Rehabilitation Grant Program offers annual grants equivalent to 70% of the municipal property tax increase (or 100% for a LEED certified project) created by investment in the project for up to 13 years after project completion. Successful projects must file a record of site condition in order to participate.
· Properties approved to participate under the Rehabilitation Grant Program also receive a 60% Development Charge reduction.
· More information and application forms are available on the City’s website: http://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/planning/plans-and-community-information/know-your-community/community-improvement/pages/brownfield-redevelopment-community-improvement-plan.aspx. Please contact Greg Atkinson at (519) 255-6543 ext. 6582 or gatkinson@citywindsor.ca with any questions.
Downtown Windsor Community Improvement plan (cip)
· New Residential Development Grant – the program is intended to stimulate residential development within Downtown Windsor by providing a financial incentive to stimulate the construction of new residential units. The program consists of a $2,500 grant towards eligible costs, per new residential unit created, to a maximum of $50,000 per property. The development must result in a minimum of four new residential units.
· Upper Storey Residential Conversion – the program is intended to attract new investment and interest in converting currently non-residential vacant or underutilized upper storey space to residential units by providing a financial incentive that will be targeted at the costs of converting the space to new residential units. The grant program will consist of a grant whereby property owners will be eligible to receive a grant of $5,000 for every new residential unit created to a maximum of $50,000 per property.
· Building/Property Improvement Tax Increment Grant Program – the program is intended to provide economic incentive for development, rehabilitation and redevelopment of properties in Downtown Windsor. The program provides financial incentives that reduces any tax increase that can result when a property is improved by providing a grant equal to 100% of the increase in municipal property taxes for five years, with the possibility of an extension up to a total of ten years, after the project is completed and reassessed to help offset the costs of rehabilitating and redeveloping properties, as long as such development results in an increase in assessment and therefore an increase in property taxes. Council, at its sole discretion, may approve an additional five year extension for a project that meets the definition of a catalyst project or where at least 20% of the units are affordable housing units.
· Commercial/Mixed Use Building Facade Improvement Grant Program—the program is intended to encourage the redesign, renovation or restoration of commercial and mixed-use building facades in Downtown Windsor by providing a financial incentive to offset of the costs associated with the improvement of commercial facades. The program offers a grant for 50% of the eligible costs of facade improvements, up to a maximum of $20,000 per property.
· Please see the City’s webpage for the full copy of the Downtown CIP, application form and guide: https://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/planning/Plans-and-Community-Information/Major-Projects/Pages/Downtown-Windsor-CIP.aspx. Please contact Laura Diotte at 519-255-6543 ext. 6396 or lbdiotte@citywindsor.ca with any questions about the Downtown CIP.
economic revitalization community improvement plan (cip)
The City’s Economic Revitalization CIP offers tax-based incentives for eligible job retention, expansion or new jobs. The Plan offers up to 100% of the municipal tax increase (i.e. resulting from eligible investments) back as an annual grant for up to ten years. The grants can have the effect of freezing municipal taxes a pre-investment levels. The program is available to any landowner or businesses in the City, provided it falls within one of the following eligible employment sectors:
• Manufacturing (all types)
• Warehousing/Logistics
• Tourism (i.e. Tourist Attraction)
• Professional Services (which includes: Business Incubator, Computer Programming Services, Computer Systems Design Services, Industrial Design Services, Research and Development, and Testing Laboratories)
• Renewable and Alternative Energy (which includes: Manufacturing, Research and Development, Cogeneration Facilities, and Renewable Energy Power Generation)
• Creative Industries (which includes: Performing Arts Facilities, Museums, Computer Software Developer, and Digital/Media Studios)
• Health & Life Sciences (which includes: Manufacturing, Research & Development, and Physician Recruitment)
• Management of Companies and Enterprises (i.e. Corporate Office and Head Offices)
Additional information, including a full copy of the Economic Revitalization CIP, eligible sector definitions, and program applications, is available on the City’s website: http://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/planning/plans-and-community-information/know-your-community/community-improvement/pages/economic-revitalization-community-improvement-plan.aspx. Please contact Greg Atkinson at (519) 255-6543 ext. 6582 or gatkinson@citywindsor.ca with any questions.
OLD SANDWICH TOWN community improvement plan (cip)
· Revitalization Grant Program—provides a grant for rehabilitating or developing buildings and property by providing a financial incentive that reduces the tax increase that can result when a property is improved. Annual grant equal to 70% of the increase in the municipal portion only of the property taxes for up to 10 years after project completion. The project must result in an increase in assessment and property taxes. The Grant is available in the entire CIP Area.
· Development and Building Fees Grant Program--provides a Grant equal to 100% of the fees paid for a wide range of development application and building permit types once the project is completed. The Grant is available in the entire CIP Area.
· Neighbourhood Residential Rehabilitation Grant Program—provides a grant equal to 50% of the cost of eligible exterior building maintenance and property improvement for residential properties. Minimum grant is $2,000 and the Maximum grant is $15,000 per property. Maximum of one application per property. This grant promotes maintenance and physical improvement of property and because there is a maximum of one application per property this promotes a more comprehensive improvement.
· More information is available on the City’s website: https://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/planning/Plans-and-Community-Information/Know-Your-Community/Community-Improvement/Pages/Sandwich-Town-Community-Improvement-Plan.aspx. Please contact Kevin Alexander at (519) 255-6543 ext. 6732 or kalexander@citywindsor.ca with any questions.
FORD CITY community improvement plan (cip)
· New Residential Development Grant Program-- property owners are eligible to receive a grant of $2,500 for every new residential unit, up to a maximum of $50,000 per property. A minimum of two (2) new residential units must be created in order to be eligible. Projects on Infill Catalyst Sites are eligible for a grant increase of up to $5,000 per unit, up to $50,000.
· Building/Property Improvement Tax Increment Grant Program-- annual grant equal to 100% of the increase in municipal property taxes for ten (10) years, after the project is completed and reassessed.
· Neighbourhood Residential Rehabilitation Grant Program— grant equal to 50% of the cost of eligible exterior building maintenance and property improvement works to residential properties. The minimum grant per property will be $1,000, up to a maximum of $15,000, with a maximum of one (1) application per property.
· Municipal Development Fees Grant Program-- property owners will be eligible to receive a grant for 100% of the specified Municipal Development Fees, up to a maximum of $50,000 per property. Remaining Municipal Development Charges are also eligible for the grant for projects on Infill Catalyst Sites.
· More information is available on the City’s website: https://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/planning/Plans-and-Community-Information/Major-Projects/Pages/Ford-City-CIP.aspx. Please contact Kevin Alexander at (519) 255-6543 ext. 6732 or kalexander@citywindsor.ca with any questions.
Building Façade Improvement Program for Main Streets CIP
· The City will match 50% of the costs for eligible building facade and storefront restoration improvements to commercial and mixed use buildings within the designated Main Street area up to a maximum of $30,000 per project to a maximum of $60,000 per project for larger buildings with multiple storefronts.
· More information is available on the City’s website: https://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/planning/Plans-and-Community-Information/Major-Projects/Pages/Building-Façade-Improvement-Program-for-Main-Streets-CIP.aspx
· Please contact Kevin Alexander at (519) 255-6543 ext. 6732 or kalexander@citywindsor.ca with any questions.
Reduced Development Charges
· The Development Charges have been significantly reduced for all types of construction within the older, core area of the City. For example, the reduced price per apartment unit is $1,061 compared to the regular rate of $13,960 per unit in other areas of the City. The reduced rate for new commercial/office space is $0.26 per square foot compared to the regular rate of $12.89 per square foot in other areas of the City.
· The City’s Development Charges By-law provide exemptions for building renovation where there is no increase in gross floor area, which would apply to the reuse of the existing buildings.
· If approved to participate in the Brownfield Rehabilitation Grant Program—the Development Charges would be further reduced by 60%.
Here is a link to the Development Charges By-law and current rates: https://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/building/Building-Permits/Pages/Development-Charges.aspx
heritage incentives
• The Heritage Property Tax Reduction Program would reduce annual property taxes by a maximum of 30% for eligible works that restore heritage attributes.
• The Built Heritage Fund and Community Heritage Fund also offer grants and loans for restoration of heritage attributes.
More information is available here: https://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/planning/Plans-and-Community-Information/Know-Your-Community/Heritage-Planning/Heritage-Property-Incentive-Programs/Pages/default.aspx. Please contact Kristina Tang at 519-255-6543 ext. 6179 or ktang@citywindsor.ca with any questions related to heritage matters.