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Lowery Sewing and Vacuum Center received a $5,400 facade grant Thursday.
Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rob Parker said the facade grant is specifically for Winona Avenue and this is the first year for this particular facade grant. It is funded 100% by the Chamber.
The grant is separate from Main Street Warsaw. The downtown facade grant is specific to the Commercial-4 district of Warsaw and funded by the city of Warsaw and administered by Main Street Warsaw, Parker said.
The facade grant for the Winona corridor is an effort by the Chamber to call attention to the importance of Winona Avenue, to make it known that coordinator was a little neglected over time. Parker said they want to make Winona one of the best corridors in the area because it goes straight to the Village at Winona, which Parker said brings in more visitors than anything else in the community.
“This is the Chamber saying Winona Avenue is an important corridor for our community and we want to make sure it is welcoming and inviting to all guests who drive down this avenue, so we’re putting our dollars to improve the facades along Winona Avenue,” Parker said.
He said the $35,000 this year for facade grants has been allocated. A property could be awarded up to $10,000 for facade improvements.
Lowery owner Adam Harman said the old brick on the front of the building was taken off and new siding was put on. The total cost of the project was about $10,000.
Construction started in August and took about a week to complete.
Harman said the building was built in the 1970s and “the things that were pretty in the ’70s aren’t pretty now.” He hopes the new siding brings a fresh look to the building.
He said he’s gotten a lot of reactions so far saying the new siding looks nice.
“I’m really excited about Winona Avenue getting refurbished. It’s needed it for a long time, so I’m glad to be part of that,” he said.
