Phase 2 applications due by end of May.<\/u><\/p>\n
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EASTON, PA \u2013 May 11, 2023 \u2013 Mayor Sal Panto and the City of Easton Department of Community & Economic Development today provided an update on its Residential Fa\u00e7ade Improvement Program. Phase 1 of the program was launched in September 2022, and construction on its projects will begin this spring. Applications for Phase 2 of the program, which launched in March 2023, are currently being accepted, and its projects will be under construction next year. The Phase 2 application round will end on May 31.<\/p>\n
The grant program was created by Mayor Panto using ARPA funds, and are under the administration of the Redevelopment Authority of Easton. In addition to providing direct support to the residents of the city with the ARPA funds, the goal of the program is to offset the high-cost burden of renovation work that city residents are facing due to supply chain issues and other impacts of the pandemic and post-pandemic economy. Applications from the West Ward and South Side neighborhoods are a priority focus.<\/p>\n
The RDA assists in developing a scope of work for each project from its application and in selecting a contractor. The homeowner, RDA, and the chosen contractor sign a contract for the project\u2019s anticipated scope of work. Eligible residential properties may be owner or tenant occupied; however, a landlord may not displace a current tenant or raise rents as a direct result of the home\u2019s improvements through this program.<\/p>\n
Funding is available to city property owners for up to $10,000 for approved fa\u00e7ade work and is according to a sliding scale based on household income and type of occupancy with low to moderate income beneficiaries being prioritized. Fa\u00e7ade work can include:<\/p>\n
During the program\u2019s first phase, 106 applications were reviewed: 21 from College Hill, 7 from downtown, 19 from South Side, and 59 from West Ward. As a result of the initial review sessions, 82 applications were approved with a total authorized amount of $796,000, pending final scope review. Many of the approved projects require a match from the homeowner. Thirty approved fa\u00e7ade projects are expected to begin construction throughout the remainder of 2023.<\/p>\n
So far, the city has received 29 applications for Phase 2 of the program \u2013 2 from College Hill, 2 from Downtown, 13 from South Side, and 12 from West Ward.<\/p>\n
West Ward homeowner Teresa Arana applied and was approved for eligible fa\u00e7ade improvements to her West Ward home on Ferry Street. She purchased the historic home in 2018 and spent her first few years of homeownership making improvements and renovations to the property. The work on her home\u2019s fa\u00e7ade will include the removal of existing vinyl siding and replacement with a durable fiber cement siding that can be painted; a replacement of the mansard roof with historically appropriate window and door eyebrows; and the removal of stucco along the stone foundation wall and repointing.<\/p>\n
Her neighbor had already applied for the program for his own home and recommended she do the same. She says the grant funds are a big help to support her ongoing work in restoring her home\u2019s historical elements. An architectural designer, Arana and her fianc\u00e9e moved to Easton from Queens, NY and chose the West Ward for her home because she wanted a location that was easily walkable to restaurants, as well as to the Downtown business district. She loves her home\u2019s historical character and large rear patio and yard where she and her fianc\u00e9e Matt plant gardens.<\/p>\n
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Information provided to TVL by:
\nTracey Werner
\nCity of Easton Marketing Consultant<\/p>\n
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Phase 2 applications due by end of May. EASTON, PA \u2013 May 11, 2023 \u2013 Mayor Sal Panto and the City of Easton Department of Community & Economic Development … Continue reading Work on Approved Projects in Phase 1 of City of Easton Residential Fa\u00e7ade Improvement Grant Program About to Begin<\/span>