The Façade Rebate Program provides incentives in the form of a rebate for physical improvements to storefronts and facades along the public way. The goal of the Façade Rebate Program is to beautify and revitalize the Special Service Area #26 district, attract and retain business, enhance the streetscape, and provide design guidelines that enhance the character and qualities of the district. The Façade Rebate Program is subject to the approval of and administered locally by Edgewater Chamber of Commerce, the Service Provider for Special Service Area (SSA) #26, and under the oversight of the City of Chicago's Department of Planning and Development. 

Approved applications who make improvements that follow the guidelines of the Façade Rebate Program may receive a rebate according to the following guidelines up to a 50% financial rebate for eligible exterior improvements worth at least $500 with a maximum rebate amount not to exceed a total of $5,000. 

Façade Rebate Program eligibility is defined in more detail in Section 4, Program Eligibility. However, the rebate: 

• Cannot be granted before the application is approved

• Cannot be used for improvements started before the rebate is approved

• Cannot be awarded until improvements are completed in the allotted, paid in full, and all necessary documentation has been submitted to Edgewater Chamber of Commerce and SSA #26.

Applications will be considered in the order that they are received until all Façade Rebate Program funding is disbursed for the fiscal year. If the list of applications received before the next SSA Commission review exceeds the amount of funding for the program, a lottery will be held to determine the order in which the projects will be funded and a wait list for the funding should it become available. 

In order to maximize the number of eligible projects that receive assistance, the SSA Commission reserves the right to award a rebate at an amount less than the allowable maximum.

• Rebate requests will not be granted for façade improvements that were started before the application is received and approved. 

• The application must be approved by the SSA Commission before construction can begin. If the applicant moves ahead with the project before receiving the approval, the applicant accepts the risk that the project may not be approved for a rebate.

• Applicant must fully and timely comply with all the requirements and deadlines set forth in the application.

• Applicant must be the entity paying for the improvements.

• If the applicant is a tenant, written consent of the property owner is required.

• Only owners and tenants of street-level property located within the SSA boundaries are eligible for the program.

• The property must be free of liens and legal questions as to ownership of the property, excepting any mortgage liens.

• Applicants must have proof of proper zoning and City permits for the improvements.

• To the extent that the owner or tenant is supplying their own materials or labor for the improvements. profits and overhead are not eligible expenditures for the rebate.

• Applications are considered on a rolling basis through the calendar year. There is no guarantee that the funding will be available upon request of the rebate.

• If multiple applications are received before the next available SSA Commission review AND the combined rebate requested in all applications exceeds the available program funding, a lottery will be held to determine the order in which the projects will be funded and a waitlist for rebates as future funding becomes available.

• The Department of Planning and Development has declared that SSA Commissioners are eligible to participate in the Façade Rebate Program, provided they meet all other program eligibility criteria and abstain from reviewing and voting on ALL Façade Rebate Program applications during the period beginning when their application is submitted until their rebate check is approved and processed. 

• If any change in ownership of the property or business participating in the Façade Rebate Program occurs during the improvements, eligibility for the Façade Rebate Program will be suspended until a meeting with the SSA Service Provider agency staff and new ownership is completed and any changes to the original application are approved in writing. There is no guarantee that new ownership will be approved for the same rebate amount as the previous owner. All such applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

• Properties that received a Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) grant in the previous 3 years or are currently enrolled in the SBIF program are ineligible from applying to the Façade Rebate Program.

• If the same façade improvement project already received funding from a different grant or incentive program, it is ineligible for additional funding though the Façade Rebate Program.

• No property owner or business can receive more than one rebate in three calendar years from disbursement of the original rebate.

• Preference shall be given to applications and buildings that have not previously participated in the Façade Rebate Program..

• Buildings and storefronts shall not have exterior burglar bars visible from the sidewalks or streets.

• Consideration will be given to buildings within different sections of the SSA to accomplish geographic diversity.

Improvements eligible for the rebate must be:

• Visible from the public right-of-way and have a positive impact on the building-front appearance

• Completed in accordance with the specifications described in the approved application, following the scope in the application, reflecting submitted costs and by a contractor whose bid was submitted with the application.

Eligible improvements include:

• Tuck-pointing and masonry

• Exterior Lighting

• Window/door replacements

• Landscaping

• Awnings

• Parking lot landscaping, decorative fencing, buffers, and lighting that face the main shopping street

• Improvements done to vacant buildings

• Improvement to residential structures.

A program application package must be submitted to Edgewater Chamber of Commerce / SSA #26. Incomplete applications will not be considered for approval by the SSA Commission or its designated review committee. 

The application package must include the following items:

• Completed application form, including a summary of cost estimates form and signed Statement of Understanding

• Photographs of existing building and the proposed project area

• Detailed plans and specifications for the proposed project

• Detailed cost estimates from at least two contractors for each improvement task. Specify which contractor you approved for each task. The Commission reserves the right to reject any questionable estimates, as well as implement such additional program rules and regulations as it deems reasonable. If the applicant plans to complete construction themselves, they must submit two estimates in addition to their own

• Owner's deed

• Tenant's lease if applicable

• Current (within 90 days prior to the application date) lien report policy showing the property is free of liens, excepting any mortgage liens

• Certificate of Good Standing from the State of Illinois for all tenanted businesses

• A list of applicable city permits to be obtained

• Written consent from and contact information for the property owner, if applicant is not the owner.

Completed applications must be submitted prior to the next meeting of the SSA Commission. The SSA Commission meetings dates are posted on Edgewater Chamber of Commerce's website.

After the completed applications in received, it will be reviewed by the SSA Commission. The Commission will review and accept or reject each application in its sole and absolute discretion. The application may be asked to clarify design elements if requested by the Commission. The application may be voted on in the first SSA Commission meeting it is presented. If the Commission has questions about the application, a vote may be postponed until a future meeting. 

In order to determine what projects warrant a rebate, the following are the criteria for review:

• Proposed projects meet the program guidelines

• Project provides a positive impact on the beautification of the public way

• Projects that demonstrate the greatest need of public assistance

• The size of the requested rebate

• Projects that not previously been funded

• Applicants who demonstrate that the funding assistance will enhance the façade improvements

• Buildings throughout the SSA boundaries in order to accomplish geographic diversification of limited funding.

Within 10 business days of the Commission meeting at which the application was voted upon, the application will be sent an approval letter stating the rebate amount that they can expect to receive for the proposed project (the "Approval Letter") or an explanation of why the application was not approved.

Once the application has been submitted and necessary permits have been obtained from the City of Chicago, the applicant may proceed with the improvements in accordance with the plans and specifications submitted in their application. However, if the applicant moves ahead with the project before receiving the Approval Letter, they accept the risk that the project may not be approved for a rebate. 

In order to ensure a timely project construction period, and to ensure the awarded funds are distributed within the same calendar year as the project is approved, all improvements should be completed within 180 days of the date of the Approval Letter. Failure to complete such work within the 180-day deadline shall, notwithstanding anything contrary elsewhere in the application or related program materials, constitute a material breach of the program requirements resulting in the withdrawal of the funding for the applicant's project without further notice of any kind. Requests for deadline extensions must be made to Edgewater Chamber of Commerce / SSA #26 in writing before the initial 180-day project period is closed, per Section 9, Emergency Amendment and Extension Process (below).

If unforeseen circumstances arise during the construction process that would result in the improvements not being completed, an extension to the deadline may be granted. If the applicant does wish to request and extension if project is not completed or a request for reimbursement is not sent within 180 days due to: delays in construction, unforeseen circumstances, or changes to project scope, contractors, or costs; the applicant must submit an explanation in writing to Edgewater Chamber of Commerce / SSA #26 requesting approval for changes. Changes to the approved scope, contractors, and award amount, as well as deadline extensions may require approval by the SSA Commission. Construction deadline extension requests must be submitted with an estimated date of completion. The SSA Commission's decision as to grant an extension or changes to previously approved work shall be in its sole and absolute discretion. If the applicant moves ahead with project before a vote is made, they take the risk that the project may no longer be eligible for a rebate.

Once the improvements have been completed, the applicant must request the rebate by submitting the following documentation to Edgewater Chamber of Commerce / SSA #26 in writing (the "Rebate Request")

• Written verification that all agreed-upon work has been completed correctly

• Before and after photographs showing completed work

• Copies of all required city permits

• Copies of all paid invoices from selected vendor(s)

• Copies of cancelled checks or credit card receipts for all eligible work that shows all work has been paid for in full

After the Rebate Request has been received, a member of the SSA Commission or Edgewater Chamber of Commerce staff will inspect* the project to verify compliance with the program guidelines and pre-approved plans. A rebate check will be sent within 60 days after the final inspection has taken place, provided the inspection confirms compliance, and pending fiscal year availability of funds. In some case, applicants who complete work in the later part of the fiscal year may not receive funds until the first part of the following fiscal year.

*The inspection is limited to a review of the completed improvements only in connection with the application under this program, and in no way shall be deemed an inspection as to whether or not the repairs completed were completed in good order and satisfactory condition. It shall be the applicant's responsibility to verify adequacy of all repairs, and applicant's failure to verify the repairs shall not relieve applicant of any expenses or responsibilities resulting from such failure, nor shall the SSA or its representative have any liability or obligations to applicant arising from such failure.

These design guidelines are intended to ensure that improvements funded by the SSA will benefit the public way by improving the physical appearance and the sidewalk appeal of commercial streets within the SSA's boundaries. The design guidelines seek to enhance the pedestrian environment, emphasize historic building elements, reduce non-transparent facades, and reinforce community identity through harmonious design while still allowing individual businesses to assert their unique presence and identity on the street.

Storefronts/Windows

No storefront may be covered or filled in and window openings should not be reduced in size. If original openings have been previously filled in, they should be restored to their original size and configuration. Storefronts in the same building should have consistent design and relate to the entire building as a whole. Display windows, entrances, signs, lighting, and other improvements should be compatible and harmonious with the original scale and character of the structure. Clear glass should be used for storefront windows. Glass block, tinted, spandrel, mirrored, or opaque glass should be avoided. Exterior security gates are discouraged. If existing exterior security gates or bars are present, they should be removed. Window signage, graphics, or other elements should not obstruct the transparency of the storefront; a minimum of 60% of the street-facing building façade between 4 feet and 10 feet in height should be comprised of clear, non-reflective windows that allow views of indoor commercial space or product displays.

Parking Lots

Parking lots facing shopping streets and serving adjacent stores may be eligible for landscaping, signage, lighting, and decorative fencing along the edges that screen or buffer the area from pedestrian shoppers and produce a more harmonious pedestrian environment.

Awnings

Awnings should be made of woven cloth or linen fabric, not vinyl or plastic.

Historic Buildings

Historic buildings are an important part of a neighborhood's identity and character. Facades and storefronts of historic buildings should be repaired and original features and materials should be maintained or replaced to match the originals. Improvements planned for Chicago Landmark buildings, buildings rated Orange or Red by the Chicago Historic Resources Survey (CHRS), and buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, must be completed in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards of Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings. A listing of historic buildings may be found A listing of historic buildings may be found on the City of Chicago website's Chicago Landmarks page.

Note: Information on permits is subject to change. Please consult the City of Chicago and/or a licensed architect or contractor for official information about permits. Edgewater Chamber of Commerce accepts no responsibility for the information that is no longer accurate.

Building Permits

Building permits are issued by the Department of Buildings, City Hall, Room 900, 121 N. LaSalle St. 312-744-3600. To apply for and access permits online, visit the Department of Buildings website.

Public Way Use Permits

All items that are associated with a building that are located on, over or under the public way including signs, awnings and sidewalk cafes, require a public way use permit. More information about public way use permits can be found on the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection website.