Dr. Robert G. Bone Historic Preservation Grant Program
About the Program
The Normal Town Council created the Dr. Robert G. Bone Historic Preservation Grant Program in April 1991. The program is designed to provide the owners of historic properties with financial assistance in the restoration and preservation of the exterior architectural features of those structures. This grant program was named after the last Dr. Robert G. Bone, former President of Illinois State University, in recognition of his being the first-ever appointment to the Normal Historic Preservation Commission and in recognition of his strong support for the preservation of Normal’s historic buildings.
The Council authorized the allocation of $20,000 annually from the Town’s General Fund to finance the program. Funds not expended within a given year will be carried over and made available for grants in future years. However, the unallocated fund balance shall not exceed $50,000.
The Normal Historic Preservation Commission administers the grant program. Grants provide funding for up to 50% of the total cost of qualified exterior restoration or preservation projects with a maximum grant amount of $5,000 per project. Any one applicant may receive no more than two (2) grants per fiscal year (April 1 – March 31) and a grant will apply to the year in which it was initially approved. A property must be a locally designated landmark or part of a locally designated historic district to be eligible for funding under this program. All other eligibility criteria and the funding priorities are established by the Commission.
Criteria for Consideration
In order for a proposed restoration project to be considered as a potential grant recipient, it must first meet the following criteria:
- The property must be a locally designated landmark or part of locally designated historic district.
- The project must be an exterior restoration project. The Commission shall have the sole authority to define a project as it relates to its eligibility under this program. No interior work or exterior maintenance work is eligible.
- A Certificate of Appropriateness must have already been approved by the Commission. The Commission will not consider Bone Grant applications without an approved Certificate of Appropriateness, which may be approved at the same meeting at the grant request.
- Bone Grants will NOT be approved for projects where the work has already begun or been completed.
Other Requirements, Terms, and Conditions
The grant application must be filed with Lauren Sunkel, Associate Planner on the form provided by the Historic Preservation Commission. This form is available here or in hard copy at the Town Clerk’s office. The Commission will ordinarily act upon a grant request in 30 days. However, the Commission may request additional information or delay final action on the grant request for other reasons.
An application for Certificate of Appropriateness must first be approved in order for a Bone Grant application to be considered. As with any application for Certificate of Appropriateness, a preliminary consultation with the Associate Planner is recommended. If a Certificate of Appropriateness has already been approved, attach a copy of the Certificate to the grant application.
Grant funds may be used toward covering the cost of professional architectural services, materials, and skilled labor. “Sweat equity” labor provided by the owner or any other person cannot be charged against the grant. The grant application must include two contractors’ estimates.
Once Certificate of Appropriateness and Bone Grant applications have been approved, proof of project completion shall be submitted by the applicant to the Associate Planner for approval by the Historic Preservation Commission prior to the release of any funds. The Commission may require submittal of receipts, canceled checks, and other documentation, as the Commission deems appropriate. The Commission may also require a final inspection by the Town of Normal Inspections Department to insure that the project was completed as proposed.
The Normal Historic Preservation Commission may give priority to projects that:
- involve the employment of a professional architect;
- involve the restoration and adaptive reuse of vacant and/or neglected properties of historic or architectural significance;
- have a high degree of visibility from the public right-of-way;
- demonstrate a large financial commitment on the part of the applicant; and/or
- involve a first-time applicant.
The Normal Historic Preservation Commission may consider multiple grant requests pertaining to one property provided that the specific projects are sufficiently distinct and separate. Eligible projects include removing aluminum siding to restore wood siding underneath, removing asphalt roof and replacing with original clay tile, reopening an enclosed porch, and other restoration and improvements projects approved by the Historic Preservation Commission. No applicant shall receive more than two (2) grants in one fiscal year (April 1-March 31).
The Normal Historic Preservation Commission reserves the right to deny any grant application or provide a partial funding of a grant request. Ineligible project examples include, general maintenance and repair projects, painting, re-roofing with nonhistoric materials, replacing gutters or downspouts, removing original wood of any kind (i.e. siding, windows, doors, porch posts, balusters, trim, brackets, beadboard, etc.)
The recipient of any grant funds must agree to observe all applicable federal, state, and local laws in the use of grant funds.
The project must be completed within one (1) year from the date the grant is awarded or the grant will automatically be revoked. The Commission reserves the right to allow a reasonable extension of the time limit upon receiving a written request to do so.
The Commission reserves the right to waive any or all of the above provisions in special circumstances.
For additional information, please contact:
Lauren Sunkel, Associate Planner, Town of Normal – 100 E. Phoenix
Avenue, Normal, Illinois 61761 454-9623