Façade Improvement grants administered by Downtown Lewistown, Inc. are intended to stimulate private investment in the rehabilitation of targeted structures while preserving and maintaining the historic qualities of commercial and mixed used buildings. Each grant will be in the amount of up to $5,000 per building, and the property owner will be responsible for a matching dollar amount, the extent of which will be based upon the level of improvement delivered to the structure. Properties that will be considered include commercial, mixed-use, and multi-unit apartment buildings which may contain combinations of retail, office, and residential apartments. Projects must achieve visible results that enhance Downtown Lewistown’s image, identity, marketability, and vitality. To reach these goals, major maintenance, repair, rehabilitation and restoration of facades are activities that will be covered through this reimbursement grant. Façade Improvement grants have the following specific objectives:
- Reduce or eliminate vacancies in the Downtown and encourage occupancy of commercial structures for new or expanded businesses
- Bring substandard building conditions into compliance with basic health, safety, and building codes and enhance the visual appeal of the Downtown;
- Facilitate compliance with federal Americans with Disabilities Act requirements; and
- Assist with the preservation of historic commercial and mixed-use buildings and assure that such buildings are rehabilitated in an appropriate manner.
The project area is the designated Downtown including properties inside the boundaries of both sides of West Third Street west of North Main Street, properties fronting Juniata Street to Water Street, properties fronting both sides of Water Street to Dorcas Street, following the railroad track line with properties contained to its north and west side of Depot Street to Chestnut Street following property lines to Valley Street including properties on both sides of Valley to North Walnut Street, and those properties fronting both sides of East Third Street.
Contact the Downtown Lewistown, Inc. office, Administrator of the Façade Improvement Grant Program at 717-248-9606, 152 East Market Street, Suite 109, Lewistown, PA 17044. E-mail jim@downtownlewistown.com
DLI administers this Program in conjunction with the Borough of Lewistown and the PA Department of Community & Economic Development.
Funds are open to all business and property owners in the core Downtown-East End Central Business District area.
Funding for this Program is now available for reimbursement following a review for eligibility and degree of improvement to the facade.