Facade improvement grant deadline extended in Wilkes-Barre

WILKES-BARRE — Too few responses and too much money left over after the first deadline passed forced the city to give homeowners another month to apply for facade improvement grants.

Applications for the Neighborhood Beautification Facade Improvement program will be accepted at City Hall until May 8.

Mayor Tony George described the response as “sparse” as of the original deadline on Monday. He said he suspected people “don’t have the money” to make the improvements, even with the program providing a 50-percent match up to $3,000. If there is still money available after the new deadline, a new street might be added to spur interest, the mayor said.

George, a Democrat running this year for a second term, announced the program on March 8 as part of his administration’s effort to address neighborhood issues. The program, funded by an approximately $100,000 Local Share Account gaming grant with revenue from the Mohegan Sun Pocono casino in Plains Township, has been used in the past by homeowners for exterior improvements such as siding, painting, doors and storm windows.

There are no income requirements, but the grants come with strings attached. Only owner-occupied properties are eligible. Contractors licensed to work in the city must be used. And applicants are asked to obtain cost estimates from two licensed contractors.

The properties also must be on one of the streets designated by the city:

• West River Street.

• Grove Street.

• Butler Street.

• Barney Street.

• Hanover Street.

• North Pennsylvania Avenue.

• South Meade Street.

• North Meade Street.

• Dana Street.

• Empire Street.

• Brown Street.

• South Franklin Street.

• High Street.

Applications and related materials can be downloaded from the city’s website homepage — www.wilkes-barre.city or at: https://bit.ly/2WLlS3W.

Application materials are also available from the City Clerk’s Office.

Completed applications must be returned to the City Clerk’s Office, Fourth Floor, City Hall, 40 E. Market St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711, by 4:30 p.m. on May 8.

Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tony George, right, is seen urging homeowners to apply early for matching grants for exterior improvements when he announced the Neighborhood Beautification Facade Improvement program in March. He extended the application period until May 8 due to the “sparse” response by Monday, the original deadline.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_TTL030919Beauty1.jpg.optimal.jpgWilkes-Barre Mayor Tony George, right, is seen urging homeowners to apply early for matching grants for exterior improvements when he announced the Neighborhood Beautification Facade Improvement program in March. He extended the application period until May 8 due to the “sparse” response by Monday, the original deadline. Times Leader file photo