Round 4 Facade and Streetscape Improvement Awards Announced

LEWIS COUNTY AWARDS NEARLY $174,150 IN ROUND 4 FAÇADE AND STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENT FUNDS TO LOCAL BUSINESSES 

Lowville, NY – On August 22nd, Lewis County announced 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:

1) $1,272.00 -The Mystic River Café-will erect a new 4’x8’ standing sign and a 3’x5’ façade sign.

2) $ 95,000.00-Jason Hartley-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.

3) $40,000.00- Jon’s Auto & Repair LLC-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.

4) $ 37,878.00-Beaver Inn Brick Oven Inn-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.

For more information visit: https://lewiscountyny.gov/departments/planning-and-community-development/facade-and-streetscape-improvement-program/