SBIF Director
Derek Walvoord
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Please call or email Derek if you have any questions about SBIF 312-360-3319 dwalvoord@somercor.com email SBIF Director
John Paulun 312-360-3305 jpaulun@somercor.com emailSBIF Assistant DirectorSilvia Sanchez 312-360-3334 ssanchez@somercor.com emailSBIF Assistant DirectorKelly Collings  312-360-3329 kcolling@somercor.com email
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Greetings!
What is SBIF? The SBIF (Small Business Improvement Fund) is a City of Chicago TIF-based grant program designed to assist with building renovation. Applicants may receive grants of up to $150,000, with up to 75% of their rehab costs rebated. SBIF can fund interior and exterior permanent renovation projects for buildings located in certain City of Chicago TIF districts. These are grants, not loans, and do not have to be repaid. The applicant can own the building or be a tenant. In addition, the City continues to refund and add new SBIF Districts! Please check out our newly expanded website for further details and application material. We even have even added a short video about the program.   Joel Berman Architecture & Design |
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Website Additions!
We are striving to get more information online to assist applicants. Please check out:
- Our new informational video
- Updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Application Materials
- "Am I in a SBIF" page, to help people use the City's Zoning Map
- "Helpful Links" - please help us add to this as well.
- Public Meetings and Application Deadlines for new and refunded areas.
- Information on Lenders familiar with the SBIF Program, and Contractors that have worked with the program.
- And, we will update bi-weekly the amount of funding left in each of the SBIF Districts, and the number of applicants on the waitlist for areas that need more funding.
Application Deadline
Dates:Clark/Ridge, application deadline 6.17.2010,
$250,000 released Devon/Western, application deadline, 6.17.2010,
$500,000 released Near North, application deadline, 6.21.2010,
$500,000 released Lawrence/Broadway, application deadline, 6.25.2010,
$250,000 released Addison South, application deadline, 7.9.2010,
$250,000 released Goose Island, application deadline, 7.9.2010,
$250,000 released 79th Street Cooridior, application deadline,
7.12.2010, $500,000 released
Deadlines occur thirty days after a public rollout
meeting, and demand for funds determines whether or not a lottery is needed. Applications
are due by the end of business on the deadline date. Applicants
should submit their applications personally. Fax and Email are the
preferred methods. Please confirm receipt of application by contacting
Kelly Collings at kcollings@somercor.com. |
Guest Post: Joel Berman, Architect
Joel Berman, ALA,
LEED-AP, is the founder and President of Joel Berman Architecture & Design
, Ltd. (BermanArchitecture.com),
a full service boutique architectural practice specializing in environmentally
conscious inner city commercial design. Joel's current SBIF projects include
conversion of a Chicago fire station into a video production studio and
historic preservation of a 1920's original White Castle building. Joel is
a Chicago Self-Certified Architect, allowing him to get some building permits
much faster.
WHY WORK WITH A LICENSED ARCHITECT?
A licensed architect can bring order and creative design to your
construction project. Larger renovations require drawings prepared and
sealed by an Illinois licensed architect. A seasoned architect can make
your project run smoothly; he or she is the essential link between contractors,
engineers, the Department of Buildings, and the SBIF Team. The architect can design your building to reflect your
aesthetics and branding, save energy, and make your operations more
efficient.
WHAT ARE THE PHASES OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION?
1) PROGRAMMING: Programming sets the project design criteria, including
room function, sizes and optimal locations; lighting requirements; ceiling
heights; structural loading; etc.
2) SCHEMATIC DESIGN: The architect uses the program to create a basic
design scheme. Schematic design lacks detail.
3) DESIGN DEVELOPMENT: The architect refines and fixes the design, and creates
documents that can be used to set a construction budget.
4) CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS: Documents upon which the construction contract will
be based, and which the contractor will use to build the project.
5) BID AND NEGOTIATION: The project is put out to bid; the
architect helps qualify and select a general contractor.
6) CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION: Review of construction, contractor pay
applications, and interpretation of construction documents.
HOW DOES CHICAGO ISSUE BUILDING PERMITS?
Chicago has several building permit programs. The STANDARD REVIEW PROCESS
requires that a licensed architect prepare and seal plans that are reviewed by
the Building Department for 3-8 weeks; the architect then addresses review
comments at an open plan review, which may add a week or two to the
process. The ARCHITECTS' SELF CERTIFICATION PROCESS allows the architect
to certify that the permit documents meet Chicago Code, allowing the permit to
be issued much faster. Architects must be prequalified by the City. The EASY PERMIT PROCESS does not require an architect's seal; the program does
not allow for walls to be demolished or built, or for new plumbing to be
installed. Chicago usually issues EPP permits within a few days.
Standard Review and Architects' Self-Certification require Zoning review prior
to permit intake. Zoning review can be arbitrary and time consuming. Building code violations might also delay your permit. A Self-Certified
architect can save you significant time, but not all projects can be self-certified. The Building Department website has a list of current self-certified
architects.
The contractor must have Chicago Commercial contractor's licenses. A
contractor might spend 3-7 weeks to get a Chicago license.
If you have questions about design, construction, or permitting, feel free to
call or write to Joel Berman. Joel@BermanArchitecture.com 773.275.5968.
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Featured Project: The Boiler Room, 2210 N. California, Fullerton/Milwaukee SBIF.
This project renovated an old laundromat and turned it into a cutting edge pizzeria. We think this project is especially exciting because of the great design and the reuse of building materials. These recycled building materials include old subway cars and reclaimed wood. The designers were Alter Ego Form.
Boiler Room Before Construction
Reused lumber and Subway doors
Seating options using seat belt material and re-purposed lighting
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Thanks for reading our E-Newsletter. Please tell your friends, coworkers, acquaintances, or anyone that might be interested in our exciting grant program. We rely on you to let others know about the program. And, as always, please feel free to contact any of our SBIF team. Derek, 312-360-3319, dwalvoord@somercor.comJohn, 312-360-3305, jpaulun@somercor.comKelly, 312-360-3329, kcollings@somercor.comSilvia,312-360-3334, ssanchez@somercor.com. Call to find out if your business is in a SBIF District or to see if you would qualify.
Sincerely,
Derek Walvoord, John Paulun, Kelly Collings, and Silvia Sanchez, the SBIF Team
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