NEWS ARTICLE from The Press, 12-16-09, By Rebecca Turman
``AVON -- Avon residents who own historical homes may have the opportunity to fund renovations in a different way beginning in 2010.
According to Avon Councilman Dennis McBride, the Finance Committee has discussed the City joining the Heritage Home Loan Program, offered by the Cleveland Restoration Society, after the Landmarks Preservation Commission recommended council look into it.
The Heritage Home Loan Program is for owners of older and historic homes, with the purpose to "promote the restoration and preservation of historic homes in Cleveland and its inner ring suburbs," according to information provided on the Cleveland Restoration Society's Web site.
The program is prevalent in Cuyahoga County; however, Oberlin has joined the program as well.
The program offers eligible homeowners the opportunity to obtain a low-interest home equity loan (3.5 percent through KeyBank) to restore a historic home to its original character. The minimum loan available is $3,000 and the maximum is $150,000.
To be eligible, residents must have a home that is at least 50 years old or older. The house cannot have vinyl or aluminum siding or vinyl replacement windows throughout. The house must also retain some original characteristics, and the property must be zoned residential and must be three units or less.
The program also offers technical assistance to homeowners, which includes site visits to the property, construction advice and guidance, custom written construction specifications for each loan, guidance and referrals for resources, color consults for exterior painting and evaluation of contractor bids and estimates.
"Since September 2001, Heritage Program staff has provided technical assistance to over 1,400 homeowners," according to the Web site. "Over 320 loans have been signed, valued at over $10.3 million in community reinvestment."
While the technical assistance is free to homeowners, the program does come at a cost to the City. The City would have to pay $8,800 annually for membership in the program, according to Law Director John Gasior. That money pays for administrative and technical advice.
During a Dec. 7 [2009] council work session, Finance Committee Chairman McBride said his personal opinion is that spending $8,000 into the program is not worth it. "I recommend it, but put a sunset clause on it," McBride said. "If no one uses funds by August, terminate it." ...
"I know there is a great interest in it," said Landmarks Preservation Commission Vice President Joe Richvalsky. "People have expressed their desire to take advantage of it. Oberlin adopted it a year ago." ...
The program has yet to be officially approved by City Council. "We will be putting together an ordinance to authorize the mayor to enter into some sort of agreement (with the Cleveland Restoration Society) for one year," Gasior said. "It won't be on the agenda until the (Dec.) 21 [2009] work session."
Gasior said the Landmarks Preservation Commission made a recommendation to council in August that it contract with the Cleveland Restoration Society and make the Heritage Home Loan Program available to Avon residents.
If approved by council, Richvalsky said the hope is residents can begin using the program in early 2010. For more information on the Heritage Home Loan Program, visit www.clevelandrestoration.org ''
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EMAILS:
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 2009
From: "Kerrington Adams"
To: "Carol Hartwig" Chair, Avon Landmarks Preservation
Commission
CC: "Marilyn Fedelchak Harley" Lorain County Preservation
Network
In answer to your question: Any city that joins the
Heritage Home Program will provide ALL of its residents
who have houses 50+ years old or older with the opportunity
for free technical assistance via site visits and written
information about old house problems.
Our trained staff has experience in construction and
historic preservation and can answer just about any issue
related to old houses. Homeowners do not have to take
out the loan to get technical assistance. The houses
themselves do not need to be locally designated landmarks
or on the National Register of Historic Places to be
eligible.
Additionally, once you've joined, all residents who have
houses 50+ years old or older can also take advantage of
our low-interest loan program to finance the work.
Kerry Adams
Historic Preservation Specialist
ClevelandRestoration Society
3751 Prospect Ave, East
Cleveland, OH 44115
(216) 426-3101
kadams@clevelandrestoration.org
--------------
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 2009
From: "Marilyn Fedelchak Harley" Lorain County Preservation
Network
To: "Carol Hartwig" Chair, Avon Landmarks Preservation
Commission
The technical assistance is for any
home more than 50 years old that
has its architectural integrity intact. This means that
it cannot have manufactured siding over a wood, stone or
brick siding or an addition on the front or some other
changes that destroy its architectural characteristics.
The exception of course is if the owners want to remove
the manufactured siding then they are eligible.
The loan is available to these
homeowners if they meet the income
guidelines. [Now there is NO income limitation or
guideline because another linked depositor has joined to
benefit Avon.]
Important to note that churches, the City and the Landmarks
Commission are all also eligible for technical assistance
if they want. This could be important for Avon Isle.
Exhibit A to Ordinance No. 142-09 [proposed as 12-16-09]
CITY OF AVON
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this _____ day of ,
2010, by and between the CITY OF AVON, OHIO, a Municipal
Corporation (hereinafter referred to as "CITY") and the
Cleveland Restoration Society (hereinafter referred to as
"CRS").
WHEREAS, The Cleveland Restoration Society has established
a linked deposit loan program referred to as the Heritage
Home Program (the "Heritage Home Program") for the purpose
of enhancing historic properties in the participating
communities; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Ordinance No. 142-09 duly passed by
the Council of the City of Avon, the CITY has determined
and is authorized to enter into an agreement with the
Cleveland Restoration Society for the purpose of providing
professional historic preservation technical assistance
to Avon homeowners relative to the CITY'S participation
in the Heritage Home Program; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the CITY and CRS, in consideration of the
mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, agree as follows:
SECTION 1. SCOPE OF SERVICES.
The Cleveland Restoration Society agrees to perform the
following technical assistance services for the period
covered by this Agreement:
GENERAL/HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLANNING
1. Cooperate with the CITY and the County and assist in
the establishment and implementation of administrative
procedures related to the Heritage Home Program (the
Program).
2. Assist the CITY in marketing the Program to Avon
property owners. Such marketing efforts will include
displaying a temporary Heritage Home Program sign, during
construction, in the front yard of properties participating
in the Program. Such sign is to be a non-commercial sign,
in compliance with CITY codes and approved by the CITY,
displayed on each participating property for a period not
to exceed six (6) months.
3. Provide technical assistance on the preservation and
rehabilitation of Avon's historic housing and/or commercial
stock to any property owner making a request. Technical
assistance is available by phone, through the mail, and
on site. Participation in the Heritage Home Program loan
is not required to receive this technical assistance.
4. Report program activity to the City of Avon on a
quarterly basis. These reports should be sent to the
Clerk of Council and the Finance Director.
PROGRAM SPECIFIC
1 Determine the historic eligibility of individual
properties upon request of Avon property owners interested
in participating in the Program. This determination will
be based on information collected by CRS through telephone
interviews with property owners and site visits to the
property to assess eligibility as defined by the County
for the Program.
2. Determine whether projects qualify for the program and
notify owners.
3. Provide professional preservation technical assistance
to property owners of qualified properties to determine
the scope and nature of rehabilitation and write contract
specifications to ensure that the Program standards
are met. Provide copies of final bid specifications to
the CITY for each project.
4. Determine total loan request amount based on contractor
bids submitted by the property owner to CRS and notify
the participating bank.
5. Upon approval of a loan application by the participating
bank, periodically monitor progress of construction
and provide technical advice and consultation during
construction as requested by the property owner, the
County, or the CITY.
6. Inspect property at completion of construction and
certify that all work has been completed in accordance
with the bids and in compliance with historic preservation
standards as reflected in the CRS contract specifications.
Provide written notification to the CITY of certification.
SECTION 2. METHOD OF PAYMENT.
CRS shall be compensated for the technical and planning
assistance provided as described in Section 1, Scope
of Services.
The CITY and CRS agree that the maximum payment for
services provided under this agreement for the year 2010
shall not exceed Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred ($8,800.00)
Dollars. Invoices will be submitted by CRS in accordance
with the payment schedule contained herein.
SECTION 3. TERM AND TERMINATION.
1. The technical assistance services of CRS shall be
provided for the period commencing on January 1, 2010 and
extending through December 31, 2010.
2. This Agreement may be terminated by either party
upon thirty (30) days written notice at such other
party's notice address, as set forth below in Section
5 hereof, provided that both the Cleveland Restoration
Society/Preservation Resource Center of Northeast Ohio and
the CITY, respectively, shall remain obligated to perform
any duties and obligations created under Section 1 hereof
which remain outstanding at the time of the termination
of this Agreement.
Section 4. Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement, or any obligation
or agreement contained herein is determined by a court
to be invalid or unenforceable, that determination shall
not affect any other provision, obligation or agreement,
each of which shall be construed and enforced as if the
invalid or unenforceable portion were not contained herein.
That invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any
valid and enforceable application thereof, and each such
provision, obligation or agreement shall be deemed to be
effective, operative, made, entered into or taken in the
manner and to the full extent permitted by law.
Section 5. Notices.
All communications hereunder will be in writing and, if
sent to CRS, will be mailed, delivered. faxed or emailed
and confirmed to:
Cleveland Restoration Society/Preservation
Resource Center of Northeast Ohio
Sarah Benedict House
3751 Prospect Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115
Attention: Kathleen H. Crowther, Executive Director
Phone: (216) 426-1000
Fax No.: (216) 426-1975
and, if sent to the CITY, will be mailed, delivered or
faxed and confirmed to:
James A. Smith, Mayor
City of Avon
36080 Chester Road
Avon, Ohio 44011
Phone: (440) 934-7605
Fax: (440) 934-7824
email: "mailto:sandy@cityofavon.com"
Section 6. Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts,
each of which shall be an original and all of which shall
constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 7. Governing Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.
Section 8. Amendments.
This Agreement may be effectively amended, changed,
modified or altered in writing, and such writing shall be
consented to and signed by both the City of Avon and the
Cleveland Restoration Society.
Section 9. Entire Agreement.
This Agreement and the terms and provisions hereof
embody the entire agreement and understanding among the
parties hereto and supersede all prior agreements and
understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the City of Avon and the Cleveland
Restoration Society have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed in their respective names, all as of the date
set forth above.
CLEVELAND RESTORATION SOCIETY
By: _______________________________
Print Name: Kathleen H. Crowther
Title: Executive Director_____________
CITY OF AVON, OHIO
By: ___________________________________
Print Name: James A. Smith_______
Title: Mayor_____
Approved as to form
______________________________
John A. Gasior, Law Director
City of Avon, Ohio
---------------
ORDINANCE NO. 142-09 [proposed as 12-16-09]
AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO THE
HERITAGE HOME PROGRAM PARTICIPATING COMMUNITY AGREEMENT
AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
WHEREAS, a linked deposit low-interest loan program
relating to historic properties referred to as the Heritage
Home Program (the "County Heritage Home Loan Program") has
been established with the Cleveland Restoration Society,
a non-profit historic preservation organization and KeyBank
National Association (KeyBank), as the lending institution,
for the purpose of enhancing historic properties throughout
the region; and
WHEREAS, through the Heritage Home Program, KeyBank
will provide low-interest loans to eligible borrowers
for certain housing repairs and improvements relating
to historic properties (each a "Heritage Linked Deposit
Loan"); and
WHEREAS, in order for the historic dwellings in the Avon
to be eligible to participate in the Heritage Home Loan
Program, the City must execute a Professional Services
Agreement with the Cleveland Restoration Society to provide
professional historic preservation technical assistance
to Avon homeowners; and
WHEREAS, the Council for the City of Avon hereby determines
that efforts to restore and maintain historically
significant structures in the City is in the best interests
of the health, safety and welfare of the community and
therefore it should immediately proceed with establishing
the Heritage Home Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF AVON, LORAIN COUNTY, STATE OF OHIO THAT:
Section 1 - That the Mayor is hereby authorized to
enter into a Professional Services Agreement with the
Cleveland Restoration Society for the purpose of providing
professional historic preservation technical assistance to
Avon homeowners relative to the City's participation in the
Heritage Home Program for the year 2010, a copy of which
is attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit A.
The Finance Director is hereby authorized to make payment
in the amount of $8,800 Dollars from the General Fund
No. 101 to satisfy the terms of said Agreement.
Section 2 - That it is found and determined that all formal
actions of this Council concerning and relating to the
passage of this Ordinance were adopted in an open meeting
of this Council, and that all deliberations of this Council
and of any of its committees that resulted in such formal
actions were in meetings open to the public, in compliance
with all legal requirements, including Section 121.22 of
the Ohio Revised Code.
Section 3 - That this Ordinance is hereby declared to be
an emergency measure necessary for the preservation of the
public peace, health, safety and welfare of the citizens
of the City of Avon, the immediate emergency being the
necessity enter into a Professional Services Agreement
with the Cleveland Restoration Society to facilitate
participation in the Heritage Home Program for the year
2010; therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force
and effect immediately upon its passage and approval by
the Mayor.
PASSED:
DATE SIGNED: ____________________________
___________________________________
By: Craig L. Witherspoon, Council President
DATE APPROVED BY THE MAYOR: ______________________
____________________________________
James A. Smith, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________
John A. Gasior, Law Director
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Ellen R. Root, Clerk of Council
POSTED: ________________
In Five Places as Provided by Council
Prepared by: John A. Gasior, Esq. Law Director
Heart of Avon Spring Celebration
March 20 and 21, 2010
Celebrate the first days of Spring by giving your home a
fresh look, inside and out, at Avon shops offering great
specials on furnishings, decorative accents and more for
the garden and home.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Heritage Home Loan Presentations, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm, Old
Town Hall of 1871, Southeast Corner of Routes 611 and 254
(Stoney Ridge and Detroit Road).
Does your 50+ year old home need a facelift? Learn how
to obtain Free professional advice and a low cost 3.5%
loan to make your dreams a reality. No income restrictions
apply. Presentations by representatives of the Cleveland
Restoration Society, with question and answer opportunity
following.
For more information, call 440-937-5204
----------------
PRESS RELEASE, 2-1-10
CONTACT:
Sara Hobbs
Associate Director, Heritage Partner Development
Cleveland Restoration Society
Phone: (216) 426-3108
Fax: (216) 426-1975
E-mail: Shobbs@clevelandrestoration.org
Avon Announces Low Interest Rehab Loans for Older Homes
Cleveland; February 1, 2010
Have you been putting off those nagging repairs to an
older home? Does your roof need attention? Do you need
to paint your wood siding or trim?
Construction season has begun and State Treasurer
Kevin L. Boyce and the Ohio Housing Finance Agency have
partnered with the Cleveland Restoration Society (CRS),
and KeyBank to introduce a specialized maintenance program
for owners of older and historic homes that are 50 years
old and older.
The Heritage Home Program, which is administered by
the non-profit Cleveland Restoration Society, provides
low interest financing and free technical advice to
enable owners of 1 to 3-unit properties for home rehab.
Heritage staff provides in depth assistance to homeowners
via site visits, custom construction specifications,
historic color consults, and collateral materials.
Homeowners can use a 3.5% fixed interest rate, 10-year
term rehabilitation loan to fund a large variety of home
maintenance and improvement projects. Houses that are
built before 1960 and have no vinyl or aluminum siding
are eligible for both exterior and interior projects.
Non-owner occupied properties up to a three family are
also eligible. Projects range from new roofs, painting,
landscaping, porch repair, additions, window repair,
driveways, kitchen and bath renovations and much more.
The program also specializes in energy efficiency issues
and can fund improvements like insulation, storm windows
and doors and energy audits. Cleveland Restoration Society
staff has made over 2,500 home visits through this program
in Cuyahoga County, and they are now excited to announce
its availability in Avon.
KeyBank is the lender for this program. There is no out of
pocket cost for the loan, no closing cost and no points.
The interest from the loan is also tax deductible.
There is no income limitation.
The Cleveland Restoration Society team of historic
rehabilitation specialists can answer your questions about
the proper repair and maintenance of your older home at
no charge.
If you are interested in finding out more information on
the program, or to see if your house qualifies contact
the Cleveland Restoration Society at (216) 426-3116.
There will be Heritage Home Program Overview Presentations
during the 'Heart of Avon Spring Celebration'.
These will be held at the historic Old Town Hall of 1871,
located on the southeast corner of Detroit and Stoney Ridge
Roads on Saturday, March 20, 2010, at 1 and 3 pm.
Kerry Adams
Senior Historic Preservation Specialist
Cleveland Restoration Society
Heart of Avon Spring Celebration, 3-20 -- 3-21-10,
Saturday, March 20, 2010
On March 20, 2010, the Cleveland Restoration Society
will present two programs explaining the Heritage Home
Loans. The programs will be presented at the Old Town Hall
of 1871 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
The loans will be managed by Key Bank, are low interest at
3.5 %, and are available for homes that are older than 50
years. There are no income restrictions. Money can be used
for inside renovations as well as landscaping and outdoor
improvements. In addition, free technical assistance is
available from the Cleveland Restoration Society.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Four Century Homes will be open to the public on Sunday,
3-21-10, from 1 - 3 pm, as part of the "Heart of Avon
Spring Celebration":
Dewitt C. Moon Home (1847), 39016 Detroit Road.
This beautiful brick farmhouse was built in 1845 at the
northwest corner of Detroit and Moon Roads. Constructed in
the Greek Revival architectural style, it features large
windows capped by stone lintels and a central doorway with
side and top windows. The foundation is native sandstone.
Dewit C. Moon was the son of Colonel Abraham Moon,
who came to Avon about 1817, settling on a 300-acre
tract of land. Dewit was born in Avon in the 1820s. His
brother-n-law, Ezra Jackson, was the builder of this house
and several others in the Avon and Sheffield areas. The
Dewit C. Moon House is listed on the Ohio Inventory of
Historic Structures (LOR-98-3).
-----
38744 Detroit Road, (about 1880) Italianate/Vernacular
-----
Doctor Pipes Home, 37399 Detroit Road. This large Colonial
Revival-style home is located on the south side of Detroit
Road just west of the French Creek Road intersection. The
house was built for Dr. Pipes circa 1900 as a home and
office. Dr. Pipe was one of the last horse-and-buggy
physicians in the area.
-----
William H. Bommer House, Italianate Style, built circa
1880, 37375 Detroit Road. Bill Bommer (1927 - 2009)
was born in Avon and was self employed as a Nationwide
Insurance Agent in Avon for over 40 years. He served in
the U.S. Army during WW II.
Bill was a charter member of both the Avon Lions Club and
the Avon Boosters, also an active member of the Knights
of Columbus #3269, in Avon working Bingo for over 20
years. He graduated from St. Mary's grammar school and Avon
High School in 1944. He was a member of St. Mary of the
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Avon, and was on
the finance committee of the church, active in the choir,
and Holy Name Society. His brothers Ed, Frank and Al Bommer
were volunteer firemen in the Avon Fire Department.
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