CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield Revitalization Corporation, announced winners of the Fall 2011 Bonus Round Design Challenge Grants for Storefront and Facade Improvements. A total of eight properties will receive funding. The Facade Improvement Program is intended to stimulate private investment in the preservation of historic downtown architecture and to foster image-making improvements to downtown commercial properties. A total of $26,707 has been granted toward all the projects, spurring a total of $60,825 in private funds.
Projects receiving funding are as follows: Johnston, Nelson & Shimmel, LLP owned by Charles Johnston, Dennis Nelson and Douglas Shimmel; Gardner’s Candies owned by Rivers Bend Properties; Clearfield Counseling Services owned by Patricia McCullough; HR Woolridge Company and Dimeling & Schrot, Inc. owned by John W. Gilliland and John R. Woolridge, Jr; Hedges Fine Foods and Spirits owned by Dave Hedges; Market Square owned by the Clearfield County Economic Development Corporation; Central PA Community Action owned by Central PA Development Corporation; and Chubby’s Cleaners owned by Michael P. Toto.
CRC Design Committee Chair, Katie Miknis commented, “We were happily overwhelmed by the response for this bonus round, as it was a first time addition to our regular grant cycles in February and June.”
Johnston, Nelson and Shimmel will be repainting their facade, installing new windows, refurbishing the front porch and updating their signage complete with dimensional raised letters and header. Gardner’s Candies will be installing new windows, removing the existing siding and restoring the brick back to its original condition, updating the soffit, fascia and gutter as well as light fixtures, and updating the existing roof shingling on the first floor facade. Clearfield Counseling Service will be installing new windows, updating and painting the window trim and front facade, updating signage as well as engraving an existing stone in their entryway with their name and address. HR Woolridge Company and Dimeling & Schrot, Inc. will be cleaning, refinishing and repainting the brick as well as the doors, windows, window sashes, sills, doorframes, decorative molding and shutters. The property will be repainted white with historical black accents, and the signage will be updated complete with gold leaf lettering. Hedges Fine Foods and Spirits will be replacing their existing awning with an new awning giving the appearance of the property a fresh look. Market Square will begin phase two which include the addition of window boxes, storm shutters and decorative window molding on the second floor facade, addition of cornices along the roofline, and will update signage complete with gooseneck lighting. Central PA Community Action will be installing new windows, repainting the front facade, and adding window boxes to the two front windows along Second Street. Chubby’s Cleaners will be updating the signage on the facade to a gold antique style complete with gooseneck lighting.
Main Street Manager Kellie Truman stated, “Due to a high demand shown from facade intent forms, the CRC captured additional funds towards the facade improvement program. However, our stipulation is that the funds must be spent by June 30, 2012. In order to deplete the facade funds, a bonus round was necessary. We do not want to send money back to the state, and we are encouraging merchants to apply in February 2012 as it will be our last facade grant cycle. We plan to keep the community posted as we get more details closer to the date. The CRC Facade Improvement Grant is a 50 percent match up to $5,000 per property in the Main Street District. For questions and applications, please call the CRC at 765-6000 or visit us online.”