Historic Downtown Merriam Exterior Improvement Grant Program

The Historic Downtown Merriam Exterior Improvement Grant is an initiative managed by the City of Merriam, Kansas, designed to support local business and property owners in revitalizing the exterior elements of their commercial buildings. The program's primary purpose is to enhance the aesthetic and structural quality of buildings within a specific downtown district, thereby contributing to the broader goals of community development and historic preservation. The program offers reimbursement funding to cover a portion of eligible exterior improvement expenses. The City has allocated a total of $50,000 for the program and will reimburse up to 30% of approved project costs. Each grant reimburses between $600 and $10,000 depending on the total amount invested by the property owner, who must contribute a minimum of $3,000 to qualify. Eligible improvements include, but are not limited to, painting, siding, door and window replacements, masonry repair, awnings, building additions, landscaping, and flood proofing. Interior improvements are not eligible unless they are directly tied to foundation repair or flood proofing, which must comply with FEMA standards and be designed by a Kansas-licensed engineer. To qualify, properties must be located within a designated district in Historic Downtown Merriam, as defined by geographic boundaries involving Turkey Creek, the BNSF railroad, and certain property lines on Merriam Drive. The property must be a commercial structure and must not have any code violations outside of those to be corrected by the proposed improvements. Owners must provide proof of current property tax payment and valid property insurance. Additionally, contractors performing the work must be appropriately licensed both in Merriam and, if applicable, Johnson County. All required permits must be secured before work begins. Applications will be accepted starting March 3, 2025. Each application must include work bids and will be reviewed in the order received. It is crucial that no work begins until the City has approved the application. The property owner is responsible for ensuring timely completion of all work, which must be finalized within 120 days of approval and no later than September 15, 2025. Each property under the same ownership is only eligible once every five years, although owners of multiple properties may apply for one property per year. To receive reimbursement, applicants must submit receipts totaling at least $3,000, pass a post-project inspection, and ensure that there are no outstanding exterior code violations. A W-9 form must also be submitted. Before and after photos will be taken by City staff to verify the improvements. All improvements must conform to the City of Merriam’s codes and, where applicable, the Architectural Design Guidelines for the Downtown District established in 2002. For additional assistance or to submit applications, interested applicants can contact David Easley at 913-322-5526 or via email. Applications must be submitted either by mail or in person at Merriam City Hall, 9001 W. 62nd St., Merriam, KS 66202. The city reserves the right to amend or terminate the program at its discretion and notes that awarded funds are subject to federal income tax reporting via IRS Form 1099.