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Tool Time
By Chris Michlewicz
Power tools will come alive and home improvement outlets will be bustling as Castle Rock waives building permit fees for remodeling projects.
The “Rock Your Renovation” program is part of a stimulus package designed to boost retail sales and help homeowners save cash while adding value to their homes. Other ideas to stimulate the local economy are still under consideration, but the improvement program, which started July 1 and runs through September, was implemented with the expectation that residents will take advantage of cheaper upgrades and spend money on materials at Castle Rock stores.
Based on a one-year evaluation of building permits submitted to the town, homeowners will save an average of $780 on each project, enabling them to purchase more quality materials or tackle another item on the to-do list, said Bill Detweiler, the town’s director of development services.
Castle Rock staffers have contacted hardware centers informing them about a possible jump in sales and to get them ready to promote merchandise that could assist do-it-yourselfers or contractors.
An increase in sales will generate more tax revenue for the town at a time when it needs it most, and mayor Randy Reed says he expects the concept will create a win-win situation for all involved.
“In these tough financial times, it’s important for the town to help residents, but this program is about more than that,” he said.
As a third benefit, the renovation program helps homeowners build value in their investments.
“It’s increasing the value of homes in the area and that will go a long way as things get better over the next several years,” Detweiler said. “It’s investing in your home and investing in local businesses.”
Officials anticipate a spike in the number of permits submitted; more than 40 people attended a town sponsored seminar on basement refinishing last month. A temporary 24-hour maximum review and approval period for applications was implemented to expedite the improvements and reduce staff time dedicated to the process. Permits are valid for 180 days with one extension of up to another 180 days allowed. Council placed a total cap on the free permits at $100,000 over the three-month duration of the fee exemption.
Staff will monitor the progress of the program and report to town council on its performance. Depending on the level of success, there is a chance the incentives could be extended, Detweiler said.
Council members are also exploring the potential benefits of an incentive program for consumers to shop locally. That initiative would offer gift cards for Castle Rock stores for amounts equal to a percentage of purchases. Essentially, shoppers who total $500 in receipts in one month on local purchases - excluding food, alcohol and utilities - would receive $50 worth of certificates good at any store licensed by Castle Rock.
“We didn’t think it would be good to look at the things people were already buying, so it was geared toward new purchases,” said Charles Montoya, finance director.
If approved, however, the program would take some time to roll out. With help from the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, stores would have to be notified of the gift cards and be willing to accept them as currency.
“It’s not an easy thing, but it could be a great thing,” said town manager Mark Stevens. “We are going to need a lot of help.”
Planners are still trying to determine whether it would be more beneficial to dole out the gift cards in $10 increments to encourage spending in multiple stores.
Lone Tree is already considering its own version of the stimulus plan, which was born out of the southern Colorado town of Lamar.
A separate proposal to create a new policy that would give preference to local businesses on Castle Rock project bids was shot down. Councilman Ryan Reilly opted to leave the existing vendor-preference policy in place because he said a new, more restrictive policy might negate the advantages of the free trade system.
Qualifying projects include:
Kitchen or bath remodels
Basement remodeling
Roof repair or replacement
Decks
Home exterior siding
Bedroom remodel
Solar panel installation
The “Rock Your Renovation” program is part of a stimulus package designed to boost retail sales and help homeowners save cash while adding value to their homes. Other ideas to stimulate the local economy are still under consideration, but the improvement program, which started July 1 and runs through September, was implemented with the expectation that residents will take advantage of cheaper upgrades and spend money on materials at Castle Rock stores.
Based on a one-year evaluation of building permits submitted to the town, homeowners will save an average of $780 on each project, enabling them to purchase more quality materials or tackle another item on the to-do list, said Bill Detweiler, the town’s director of development services.
Castle Rock staffers have contacted hardware centers informing them about a possible jump in sales and to get them ready to promote merchandise that could assist do-it-yourselfers or contractors.
An increase in sales will generate more tax revenue for the town at a time when it needs it most, and mayor Randy Reed says he expects the concept will create a win-win situation for all involved.
“In these tough financial times, it’s important for the town to help residents, but this program is about more than that,” he said.
As a third benefit, the renovation program helps homeowners build value in their investments.
“It’s increasing the value of homes in the area and that will go a long way as things get better over the next several years,” Detweiler said. “It’s investing in your home and investing in local businesses.”
Officials anticipate a spike in the number of permits submitted; more than 40 people attended a town sponsored seminar on basement refinishing last month. A temporary 24-hour maximum review and approval period for applications was implemented to expedite the improvements and reduce staff time dedicated to the process. Permits are valid for 180 days with one extension of up to another 180 days allowed. Council placed a total cap on the free permits at $100,000 over the three-month duration of the fee exemption.
Staff will monitor the progress of the program and report to town council on its performance. Depending on the level of success, there is a chance the incentives could be extended, Detweiler said.
Council members are also exploring the potential benefits of an incentive program for consumers to shop locally. That initiative would offer gift cards for Castle Rock stores for amounts equal to a percentage of purchases. Essentially, shoppers who total $500 in receipts in one month on local purchases - excluding food, alcohol and utilities - would receive $50 worth of certificates good at any store licensed by Castle Rock.
“We didn’t think it would be good to look at the things people were already buying, so it was geared toward new purchases,” said Charles Montoya, finance director.
If approved, however, the program would take some time to roll out. With help from the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, stores would have to be notified of the gift cards and be willing to accept them as currency.
“It’s not an easy thing, but it could be a great thing,” said town manager Mark Stevens. “We are going to need a lot of help.”
Planners are still trying to determine whether it would be more beneficial to dole out the gift cards in $10 increments to encourage spending in multiple stores.
Lone Tree is already considering its own version of the stimulus plan, which was born out of the southern Colorado town of Lamar.
A separate proposal to create a new policy that would give preference to local businesses on Castle Rock project bids was shot down. Councilman Ryan Reilly opted to leave the existing vendor-preference policy in place because he said a new, more restrictive policy might negate the advantages of the free trade system.
Qualifying projects include:
Kitchen or bath remodels
Basement remodeling
Roof repair or replacement
Decks
Home exterior siding
Bedroom remodel
Solar panel installation
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