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Wells talks downtown facade, revitalization efforts in Berlin

RACHEL RAVINA/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Work continues Tuesday afternoon on the facade of the Purnell building on 114 and 116 N. Main streets in downtown Berlin. Property owner Troy Purnell received $10,000 per address in reimbursable funds as part of a state housing and community development grant.

By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer

(Sept. 19, 2019) Improvements to storefronts in Berlin are being aided by the town’s use of a state facade improvement program, Ivy Wells, Berlin’s community and economic development director, told the mayor and Town Council last Monday.

“I have received approval for two facade grants this week,” Wells reported. She said that Viking Tree Trading Company on North Main Street received about $1,300 for their signs, and Health Freedom, a new shop on Artisan’s Way, was reimbursed for about $250 for a new sign that cost $500.

Among other projects, property owner and Town Councilman Troy Purnell was also authorized to upgrade the Purnell building’s facade on 114 and 116 N. Main St. Wells said funding was available for $10,000 per address.

Under the state grant, Wells said property owners can make the necessary improvements, and the town then reimburses them for a portion of the project’s approved amount in a one-to-one match. The state’s Department of Housing and Community Development then reimburses the town, she said.

Wells, the facilitator of the grants, said commercial businesses in the downtown historic and Main Street districts are eligible to apply. She also said that businesses typically use the money for cosmetic touches such as new paint and better signs.

She said she received a $30,000 grant last year. When she took the job in Berlin in October 2014, the town had funds left over from a previous facade grant. She received $50,000 in state grant money in the following year.

About 25 businesses took advantage of the assistance in 2014 and 2015, Wells said.

Grant recipients have a maximum of six months to complete the project, according to Wells, but it usually takes about one month.

Wells still has roughly $4,000 of the facade grant to spend. She said she’s also encouraging area businesses to apply and added that Una Bella Salute on Broad Street recently inquired.

Wells said she’s unable to reapply for facade grant funding until all the money is spent. In the meantime, Wells said she applied for a $150,000 non-match community legacy grant via the state’s department of housing and community development to upgrade crosswalk overlays and employ pervious pavers to alleviate puddles in certain areas.

“I don’t know how much I’m going to get, but that’s how much I applied for,” she said.