The Daily Item, Sunbury, PA

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November 1, 2009

Grant gives owners money to renovate

By Tricia Pursell

SELINSGROVE -- Business and homeowners in downtown Selinsgrove will have spent $45,000 of their own money, and $30,000 of the state's, for 2009 facade projects that will soon be completed.

Eight buildings have benefited from $30,000 in grants through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

The grant matched up to $5,000 spent by businesses and residents on projects for which they had applied.

The grant sparked interest in the Central Business District, which last year saw only $25,900 spent by business and home owners on facade projects, according to Jessica Newell, Selinsgrove's Main Street manager and member of the Selinsgrove Design Committee's Facade Project.

"As you can see, providing the grant greatly increased the amount invested in the downtown," she said.

Qualifying businesses, building owners or homeowners in Main Street territory paid at least $5,000 for the projects.

Maryanne Pinand, of 101 N. Market St., spent $20,000 of her own money in a $25,000 renovation project this year that included a new mansard roof with fixing trim, painting, new shingles, spouting and repaired balcony on the side. Slate tiles were removed, but the shingles closely mimic the original tile, Newell said.

Four of seven businesses were awarded $5,000 in matching grant money.

"You know they were substantial projects," Newell said, as they would have equaled at least $10,000.

The goal is to preserve the downtown, and to encourage businesses to take pride in their surroundings, Newell said.

The design committee chose the best applications, and helped businesses to make the best decisions for improvements.

Seven businesses received matching grant money.

"They are very excited about it," Newell said. "You never know how it's going to be received when it starts."

The first application was received in July, and all the funds were exhausted by September.

Keller's Beer, of 21 S. Water St., now has a new stone and brick exterior, new paint, a new sign and lighting, and will also install a new metal roof.

Owner Matt Viens said the renovations are drastic. The building hasn't really changed since 1947, Viens said.

"It kind of gave the place a little facelift, a little curb appeal," he said.

Viens spent $5,000 to $6,000 of his own money, and received $5,000 in matching grant funds.

"At some point, I was definitely going to do something," Viens said, "but this allowed me to do it sooner."

Another big change as part of the grant is taking place at Emma's Food for Life, at 11 S. Market St.

The building has been painted and trim added to highlight the architectural detail of the building front. New backlit stained glass window signs will be installed, and tile has replaced a carpet over the entryway.

"It makes it more warm and inviting," owner Emma Renninger said.

The door has also been replaced with one of the building's original doors, which Renninger said she found in the basement. The door has deviled glass, she said, and it just needed to be stripped and repainted -- "given a little love," she said.

"It's absolutely gorgeous," Renninger said. "It matched with the rest of the window structure of the building."

Renninger spent $6,000 of her own money. The matching grant allowed her to complete a project worth $11,000.

"I wanted to do this when we opened the business, but didn't have the money," she said.

Other projects were completed at McCuen Law, 116 N. Market St.; Gov. Snyder Mansion/Selin's Grove Brewing Co., 121 N. Market St.; J. Kleinbauer, Market and Chestnut streets; The Kind Cafe, 16 N. Market St.; and Bot's Tavern/Cafe, 7 S. Market St.

The borough will receive another round of grant money for the facade program next year, Newell said. Those interested may submit applications at any time. More information is available by contacting Newell at 541-1932 or at mainstreetmanager@susqu.edu.

n E-mail comments to tpursell@dailyitem.com.

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