DHCD’s Neighborhood Based Activities Program (NDAP) is conducting a contest at the 2016 Housing Expo for free storefront improvements to qualifying businesses.

There are three prizes. The First Prize is a storefront makeover worth up to $20,000. The Second Prize is the design and installation of new signage worth up to $8,000. The Third Prize is building surface cleaning, painting, and minor repairs worth up to $6,000.

The first, second, and third prizes will be randomly drawn. These first three entries will be evaluated by DHCD staff to determine if the entrant is qualified. If an entrant is not in compliance with the conditions in this document, additional entries will be randomly drawn until each of the categories has an entrant in compliance. The first three qualifying entries drawn will be awarded the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes in the order they are drawn. Selected businesses will be notified on or after Friday, July 15, 2016.

Qualifying businesses must:

• Own an existing registered business in Good Standing with the DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), the Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR), the Department of Employment Services (DOES) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and all other District agencies.
• Possess site control, either as an owner or a tenant.
• Be located in a storefront on or directly adjacent to certain designated “Great Streets” AND/OR the business must be located in an area eligible for federal funds with 51 percent or more of the nearby residents are low/moderate income as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
• Possess proof of property and liability insurance.
• Not be on District or federal debarred list.

Entries will be collected in person at the DC Housing Expo & Home Show on Saturday, June 11, 2016. Only one entry per business may be submitted. Participants completing the entry form must agree to the following at the time of entry:

• obtain a DUNS Number;
• obtain approval from the property owner for the improvements if the business owner is a tenant;
• maintain the improvements for a minimum of three years OR receive approval for subsequent changes to the storefront improvements within three years of completion;
• comply with all safety regulations, building codes, ordinances, and other applicable regulations;
• remain current with real estate property tax; and
• allow District Government or its agents to promote the approved project, including, but not limited to, displaying a sign at the site during and after construction, and using photographs and descriptions of the projects in the District’s materials and press releases.

In additional to the conditions above, there are other eligibility restrictions on the types of businesses and/or building type:

• Churches or other sectarian establishments are not eligible.
• Government-owned properties are not eligible.
• District employee-owned properties or businesses are not eligible.
• National or Regional chain stores are not eligible.
• Vacant properties are not eligible, unless a certificate of occupancy is in place for a registered, qualifying business at the time of the award.
• Seriously dilapidated buildings requiring a minimum scope of work that exceeds $20,000 are not eligible.
• Properties that have received DHCD funded storefront improvements within the previous three-year period are not eligible. Exceptions will be considered in some situations (for example, the use has changed from a restaurant to a coffee shop).

In addition to agreeing to the above, the winning business owners should be advised of the following:

• Funds to cover the storefront improvements will be disbursed to a Community Based Organization (“CBO”) already receiving funds from DHCD for the 2016 fiscal year. The business owner will receive no direct payment for the implementation of the storefront improvements.
• Delivery of the storefront improvements will be subject to funding availability at DHCD, the work schedule of the participating CBO, and any required approvals from regulatory agencies (that is, DCRA, SHPO, etc.)
• The re-design of the storefront will be completed with, owner input, by a qualified architect contracting with the participating CBO.

Offer expires June 11, 2016