CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield Revitalization Corporation announced winners of the Spring 2012 Design Challenge Grants for Storefront and Facade Improvements. 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. The CRC is pleased to announce that all seven applications will receive 100 percent of their funding request. This is the first time the CRC has awarded every project at its fullest capacity. A total of $26,837.50 has been granted toward all the projects, spurring a total of $69,333.50 in private funds.
Projects receiving funding are as follows: 214 N. Third Street, the Catalano Cycle Center building now owned by SieDust, LLC; 237 E. Market Street, which is the previous Daniel’s Restaurant property now owned by Pete and Brandy Hess; 310 E. Market Street, the Fraternal Order of Eagles 812 owned by Fraternal Order of Eagles 812; 312 E. Market Street, T.W. O’Donnell, Optician also owned by the Fraternal Order of Eagles 812; 6 S. Front Street, Clearfield Borough Administration Offices owned by the Clearfield Borough; 125 East Market Street, Clearfield Chamber of Commerce owned by the Clearfield Chamber of Commerce; 241 E. Market Street, Sweet Art Bakery and the Unemployment Office owned by Birch Properties, Inc.; 5 S. Third Street, PA Workers Compensation, also owned by Birch Properties, Inc.
CRC Design Committee Chair, Katie Miknis commented, “We were extremely impressed with the applications this round and the level of impact each project contains. We are happy to be able to fund all of these projects 100% and inspire revitalization in Downtown Clearfield.”
The property owned by SieDust, LLC will receive funds to implement a full renovation as this is Phase 1 of the total project. The existing storefront glass and doors will be removed and replaced with new windows and two new doors to create two separate storefronts. Plans for the next phase include a cream painted sign board and gooseneck lights giving the property a restored, historic look. The previous Daniel’s Restaurant property will welcome new tenant Apple Orchard Banquets & Catering, LLC. Improvements to Phase 1 of this project include brickwork at the top of the building to ensure safety and to restore it back to its original structure. It will also include repointing the mortar and a special cleaning specifically for brick. This improvement will give the building a fresh, clean and appealing look. Plans for the next phase include signage, gooseneck lighting and updated windows.
T.W. O’Donnell’s Optician office will receive funds to clean the facade and touch up current paint and stain that has faded or damaged. The property of the Fraternal Order of Eagles 812 is receiving funds to clean and repoint the front, remove the existing overhang and replace it with a new awning. The windows will also be replace and the “FOE 812” and the eagle on the top of the building will be painted to match the awning. Separate from the facade project, the Eagles plan to paint the side of the building facing Third Street. They plan to paint it a natural color to match the limestone on the facade. This will eliminate the green siding, and with a navy blue awning on the facade, the building will keep its original look but will match the colors of the FOE 812.
Clearfield Borough is receiving funds for their administration office to remove existing trim extending from the bottom of the windows to the brick sill. Dryvit will be installed and the new will be created and sloped to allow water drainage. The color and finish will mimic the sandstone entry way as closely as possible.  Like all small towns across the region, the image of the municipal building is a representative of the image of the borough area, and the CRC is pleased Clearfield Borough is taking measures to improve the facade and appearance of the building. This facade improvement will keep an original, historic look and freshen up the exterior. The Clearfield Chamber of Commerce is receiving funding to restore the exterior paint and also some restore some of the woodwork located on the second story of the building. The same colors will be used to maintain a historic look. Birch Properties owns the corner building on Market and Third Street and will be painting a fresh tan tone over the present pink shade. Three new signs will be installed, two on Market Street and one on Third Street. The remaining windows on the first and second floors will be caulked, cleaned and painted a dark brown color.
Main Street Manager, Kellie Truman said, “The CRC is excited for these new projects and revitalization in downtown Clearfield, and we look forward to our next round in June 2012. It is never too early to start planning for your facade improvement project through our Facade Grant Program, which is a 50 percent match up to $5,000 towards your project in the Main Street District.” Guidelines and the application are online 24/7 at www.DiscoverClearfield.com. If you have questions, contact the Clearfield Revitalization Corporation at 814-765-6000.
