Town and Main Street team up to improve buildings

In an effort to encourage town businesses and property owners to keep up their buildings, the Town of Hope and Main Street of Hope are offering up to $1,500 in matching funds for façade improvements.

Susan Thayer-Fye, director of the Main Street group, said the effected area includes the Hope Town Square and everything within a block of the square. She said that both the Main Street committee and the Hope Town Council recognize that maintenance and upkeep of historic buildings in the district is constant and costly and the program is meant to help offset some of those costs.

She said the the program can match up to $1,500 per façade project with money from local Economic Development Income Tax revenues. Repairs could include repair or tuck pointing of brick; exterior painting; repairing or replacing doors, windows, soffits, gutters, signage, lighting, and awnings or adding bike racks.

Fye said that organizers also hope to encourage businesses to locate in the district and to fill business vacancies in and around the Hope Town Square.

The Hope Town Council has set aside $5,000 in matching funds to start the program, but if the program is popular, additional funding will likely be requested, Fye said. Funds will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

"The town of Hope is fortunate to have a strong base of historic expertise from local citizens who can provide advice and guidance for the preservation and restoration of historic buildings," Fye said, in a press release.

Those taking part would have six months to complete their project. 

The Main Street design committee will take applications and determine eligibility. After approval of that committee,  each individual project request would need to go before the town's Economic Development Income Tax review committee and then to Hope Town Council for approval.

Two quotes or bids would be required.