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· HUD 108 Loan Guarantee <br />This federal program allows communities to borrow up to five times their annual CDBG <br />allocation in order to fund eligible CDBG projects. <br /> <br /> · Fee Assistance and Permit Fast-Tracking <br />Waiving or reducing the cost of permit fees or System Development Charges (SDCs), or <br />fast tracking the permit process, can be used to offset the higher cost of developing <br />downtown. <br /> <br /> · Revenue Bonds <br />An existing revenue source (i.e. urban renewal tax increment) can be used to generate <br />larger amounts of up-front funding that is paid back over time. <br /> <br /> · General Obligation Bonds <br />A voter approved property tax levy is used to generate up-front funding for specific <br />capital improvement projects. <br /> <br /> · Local Improvement Districts <br />Infrastructure improvements such as streets and sidewalks are paid through property <br />owner assessments. <br /> <br /> · Parking <br />New and existing public parking can be used to assist private development <br />downtown. Easily available parking encourages downtown business and cultural <br />activities, and creates a positive experience and perception of downtown. <br /> <br />Facilitating Development <br />The City's role in facilitating development is multifaceted. Planning activities, such as <br />insuring that appropriate zones are in place downtown, set the stage for desired <br />development. Currently, a number of base zones and overlay zones are in place <br />downtown, including two commercial zones, the Transit Overlay District, and the <br />Broadway Design Standards. All zoning regulations for downtown should be reviewed <br />to look for ways to simplify and expedite development downtown. In addition, there are <br />underused and vacant sites throughout downtown. Some of these parcels downtown are <br />not designated for commercial use, or are designated commercial but not commercially <br />zoned. These sites, which include surface parking lots downtown, need to be redesignated <br />or rezoned to allow for the commercial redevelopment envisioned in this plan. <br /> <br />Design Quality <br />Well designed projects create an inviting urban experience and strengthen the overall <br />desirability of downtown in the regional marketplace. Design quality is not dependent on <br />a particular architectural style. It requires an understanding of the elements of buildings <br />necessary to create public spaces that contribute to urban vitality and civic life. <br />Successful project designs typically demonstrate the following principles: <br /> <br />· Use high quality materials, particularly on the first floor; <br /> <br /> 13 <br /> <br /> <br />