2007 Revitalization Area Assistance Program
The Whiting Redevelopment Commission is offering an Exterior Property Improvement Assistance
Program for property owners in the Whiting Revitalization Area. This program covers many levels of
participation ranging from curbside appeal projects to larger exterior improvement assistance. The
Commission has allocated One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) toward this program for 2007 on a
first come first serve basis.
Curbside Appeal Assistance:
Curbside Appeal Assistance shall be defined as those improvements that would enhance the general
appearance of any residence or building when viewed from the street and/or sidewalk. These
improvements would consist of cleaning of the property or structure, the application of a fresh coat of
paint to the exterior of the structure, as well as the installation of landscaping; thereby making the
property more pleasing to the eye and to the neighborhood in general.
The Assistance would be up to Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) maximum. Any painting or exterior
improvements will need to be described in the Assistance Application with before and after photos taken
for audit purposes and potential public relations opportunities. Paint color choices and any landscaping
plans should be reviewed at time of application to be consistent with the neighborhood environment.
Exterior Improvement Assistance:
This program is geared for some of the larger exterior improvements. The Redevelopment Commission
has created some programs to aid our resident property owners in improving their curbside exterior
appearance. There are two classes of Matching Assistance available to residents and businesses in the
Revitalization Area.

Business Matching Assistance
This Matching Assistance is available to property owner operated businesses and to commercial property
owner located within the City of Whiting in the Revitalization Area for improvements to the curbside
front exterior of their property. If the property is contiguous across multiple street addresses, the owner is
entitled to the maximum allowed assistance for each address as a separate entity. The Assistance will
match the business investment up to Seventy Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500) allowing for a total
improvement of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) per storefront property. . For properties located on
corner lots with unobstructed visibility from the street, the Commission will match up to $9,000 for an
$18,000 improvement. Suggestions for exterior work would be painting, awnings, windows, lighting,
signs, etc. The Assistance is also not available to tax exempt/non profit properties such as churches and
schools.
Applicants acknowledge that the guidelines issued for this program are just that – guidelines. The
Commission reserves the right to exercise its discretion and review each application individually to
determine if the owner may be eligible for additional assistance. There may be instances where visibility,
location, number of units, and lot frontage and/or lot depth would allow the owner to petition the
Commission for façade improvement assistance for more than one unit, one side of the structure, or new
methods of ingress/egress. The Commission reserves the right to review the plans submitted and to
determine if the project is eligible for additional assistance based on the quality of the plan, the dollar
value of the improvement, and the overall enhancement of the curb appeal of the structure. The
Commission may take into account the value added to community improvement and the surrounding
structures. Said eligibility rests solely with the discretion of the Commission.

Resident Matching Assistance
This Matching Assistance is available to property owners within the City of Whiting in the Revitalization
Area in the amount up to Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000) allowing for a residential improvement of Six
Thousand Dollars ($6,000) in total to the curbside front exterior of their property. For properties located
on corner lots not adjacent to an alley, the Commission will match up to $4,000 for an $8,000
improvement. Suggestions for exterior work would be painting, siding, windows, doors, front porches,
concrete work, landscaping, etc.
Applicants acknowledge that the guidelines issued for this program are just that – guidelines. The
Commission reserves the right to exercise its discretion and review each application individually to
determine the impact and benefit which is offered for overall community improvement. There may be
instances where visibility, location, and/or curbside enhancement may be augmented by providing
assistance for more than one side of the structure. Said eligibility for additional assistance rests solely
with the discretion of the Commission as determined by the quality of the project presented to the
Commission and the value added to the community.
The assistance is not available to properties located in the even numbers of the 2600 block of White Oak
or the 2600 block of Birch Ave. as these areas are out of the revitalization area.
The Process
Application:
Applications for the Assistance are available from City Hall through the Mayor’s Secretary. Completed
applications also should be returned to the secretary to begin the approval process.
Approval Process:
The Assistance Applications will be reviewed by the Redevelopment Commission within 30 days of
submission. The successful Assistance Applicants will be notified by mail and work on the projects can
begin subject to the Building Permit process completion. Any work done by any party other than the
property owner will require the use of a City of Whiting licensed contractor when licenses are so
required for particular work as outlined by any city ordinance. The only reimbursement of the
labor portion of a Matching Assistance project will be against a payment made to a licensed
contractor required by ordinance.
Assistance applications which are denied will also be notified by mail.
Disbursement:
All Assistance Projects are to be completed by December 31, 2007 unless the commission finds reason to
extend the project due to weather or contractor delays. When a project has been completed, all original
receipts with proof of payment for the materials, if the owner does work, must be submitted to the
Redevelopment Commission Director, who in turn will process the Assistance payment through the
Redevelopment Commission.
In cases where work is done by a City of Whiting licensed contractor, both labor and materials will be
covered and receipts with proof of payment and/or signed contracts marked “paid in full” must be
submitted to the Redevelopment Commission Director who in turn will process the Assistance payment
through the Redevelopment Commission.
Examples of expenses not covered are permit fees, inspection fees, fines, payments to non licensed
contractors/helpers, appliance purchases, landscaping, utility relocation costs, tool purchases, “how to”
book purchases, tool rentals, and rentals of scavenger boxes for debris removal. Architect, designer and
design consultant fees are not reimbursable.
All original receipts submitted to the Redevelopment Commission will be kept on file in the Clerk’s
Office.
ASSISTANCE GUIDELINE ACKNOWLEGDEMENT
2007
Initials
1. I have not applied for or received tax abatement for this project.
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2. I will not include invoicing charges for my own labor or that of family members who are not licensed
contractors.
---------3. I understand that in order to receive reimbursement for labor by contractors, all contractors must be
licensed in the City of Whiting when licenses are so required for particular work by any city ordinance.
---------4. I will not submit invoices that contain unreimbursable items (examples are listed under the
disbursement section).
---------5. I am not a non-profit or tax exempt business.
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6. I understand the program only reimburses expenses which improve the curbside front exterior of my
property.
---------7. I will authorize the placement of a small sign on my lawn or storefront after the work is completed to
promote the matching assistance program for a two week period.
---------I hereby acknowledge receipt of the rules of the Revitalization Area Assistance Program. I have read all
of the rules and understand them. I acknowledge that failure to comply with all of these rules may result
in my claim for reimbursement being denied by the Whiting Redevelopment Commission.
Signature:
Date:
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