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Lewis County Announces Funding Recipients for Round 4
of Façade and Streetscape Improvement Program
Published: December 04, 2024
at 06:30 a.m.
By: Press Release from Lewis County Planning and
Community Development
LEWIS COUNTY AWARDS NEARLY $174,150 IN ROUND 4 FAÇADE
AND STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENT FUNDS TO LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NON-PROFITS
Lowville, NY – On August 22nd,
Lewis County announced the opening of another round of the Façade and
Streetscape Improvement Program. After receiving applications for
approximately $933,648 in requested project funds, ultimately, four (4)
projects were awarded funding for a variety of downtown façade
improvements.
Tim Hunt, Lewis
County Manager, expressed, “These revitalization projects will breathe new
life into our communities, preserving their historic charm. I am confident
that these investments, coupled with our commitment to placemaking, will
have a profound positive impact on our County, building upon the successes
of previous projects.”
This year, we
pioneered a new approach by implementing a pre-application process in
collaboration with In-Site Architecture. This initiative involved creating
visual renderings and detailed project scopes for all eligible proposals,
ensuring they adhered to the guidelines outlined in the recently released
Lewis County Downtown Design Guide. This proactive strategy yielded
positive results, with 100% of funded projects participating in the
pre-application phase. A dedicated review committee, comprising the County
Manager, Board of Legislators, Naturally Lewis, the Lewis County Historical
Society, and Lewis County Planning and Community Development, meticulously
evaluated each application.
Awards were made to businesses from the Hamlet of Harrisville to the
Village of Port Leyden. The following projects, upon completion, will
receive Round 4 Lewis County Façade and Streetscape Improvement Funds:
The Mystic River
Café, Harrisville ($1,272 awarded)-will erect a new 4’x8’ standing sign and
a 3’x5’ façade sign.
Jason Hartley ($95,000
awarded)-This Port Leyden historic brick block building will undergo
entryway improvements, including an ADA-compliant ramp with railings,
awning restoration and repair, and other enhancements as outlined in the
In-Site Architecture scope of work.
Jon’s Auto &
Repair LLC, Port Leyden ($40,000 awarded)-will restore the
building's exterior, including scraping, repairing, pointing, and
repainting. Holes and gaps will be patched using matching timber profiles.
Storefront windows and doors will be replaced to maintain the original
building's character. A large, illuminated signboard will be added to the
main street façade.
Beaver Inn Brick
Oven Inn, Beaver Falls ($37,878 awarded)-will restore the existing exterior
cladding, fascia, soffits, railings, columns, and decking by scraping,
repairing, and repainting in the original color scheme. A new gutter and
downspout will be installed on the front porch. Façade windows and doors will
be repaired or replaced as needed, and new signage will be added.
The downtown
districts and public spaces in Lewis County play a central role in
fostering community gatherings, hosting special events, and contributing to
the success of small businesses. The Façade and Streetscape Improvement
Program is designed to breathe new life into the historical character and
appeal of villages and hamlets within Lewis County, leveraging both public
and private investments. To stimulate and advance the revitalization
initiatives, this program offers up to a 75/25 matching funds arrangement
for eligible enhancements to mixed-use and commercial buildings, as well as
streetscape improvements in the villages and hamlets
of Lewis County. Together, these enhancements hope to increase tourism,
support business expansion and retention, increase local spending, and a
sense of pride and reduce the number of abandoned and dilapidated
buildings.
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