EASTON, Pa. — About three years ago, Easton resident Teresa Arana moved into a Second Empire-style rowhouse on Ferry Street in the city’s West Ward, a block away from the historic district.
It had seen better days. The aging vinyl siding was stained and weathered, the shingles on the mansard roof were in rough shape, and the windows needed to be replaced.
- A home on Easton's Ferry Street will undergo facade improvements under a program to restore the historic character of certain buildings
- City officials on Thursday held a news conference to use the project to highlight the program
- The program uses $1.7 million from Easton’s American Rescue Plan funds; nearly $800,000 was distributed in the first round last year
A few doors down, though, was a recently restored version of a similar building, giving Arana an idea of what was possible and convincing her it was worth the effort.
“I could see the potential in this house,” she said.
However, the home’s interior was in no better shape than the exterior, and those projects took priority, both in terms of time and budget.
Arana applied for a $10,000 grant through the city’s program to upgrade the building’s facade, with an eye toward restoring its historic character.
Her application was approved, and the building’s exterior will be overhauled later this year.
Highlighting the program
City officials gathered on the sidewalk outside Arana’s home Thursday to highlight the planned improvements, saying it shows what the grant program can enable.
The program uses $1.7 million from Easton’s American Rescue Plan funds; nearly $800,000 was distributed in the first round last year.
One of the things we're hoping to do with this program is restore the pride in neighborhoods. When you're proud of where you live, you take care of it, and that's really important.Easton Mayor Sal Panto
“One of the things we're hoping to do with this program is restore the pride in neighborhoods,” Easton Mayor Sal Panto said. “When you're proud of where you live, you take care of it, and that's really important.”
Arana said she hopes the building’s original siding survived under the aging vinyl and can be returned to service. The aluminum flashing around the door frame will be removed.
The windows and front door will be replaced with ones more in line with the building’s original character.
Applications opened in March for the program’s second round of grants, and will close at the end of May. Approved projects will be completed next year.
Grants for low-income homeowners are a priority, especially in the city’s West Ward and South Side neighborhoods.
Depending on the homeowner’s income, they may have to match up to 30% of the city’s funds with their own; grants also are subject to an income cap.
“We're also looking at the types of improvements they want to make related to their project — how historically supportive it will be, as well as the impact it will have on the surrounding area,” said John Kingsley, director of Easton’s Community and Economic Development Department.
City officials managing the program said they hope the improvements will inspire other people in the neighborhood to take on facade projects of their own.
“We want this to actually create a contagion, if you will, toward actually improving properties in the surrounding area, because we want to improve the street appeal of our neighborhoods,” Kingsley said.
Applications are available here.
