Macungie Facade Program Pictures - Before and After

Another day, and more Facade Program pictures to share. Macungie had three projects this year. Two were residential, while a third was an old church that is now both residential and a dental office. These projects were certainly different from the Coopersburg projects. Two in particular really concentrated on historical restoration.

First, let me show you this single family detached home on Lea Street.

Before

After

I've said it before in the course of this program, and I will probably say it many, many more times, but isn't it amazing what a simple coat of paint can do? This project involved new window and door frames, as well as a paint job of the windows and doors. The property now looks much better.

Next we have a home on Main Street. This home replaced their windows and repainted their iron-wrought fencing (using the Benjamin Moore historic paint collection) in an attempt to bring out its color. Check this out:

Before

After

Even more interestingly, the property owners here decided to do the painting on their own, meaning that they saved hundreds. The Facade Program covers the costs of supplies as well, meaning that if you want to do the work yourself, you can still apply to the program to cover the costs of your supplies.

Last up is a great use for the Facade Program and a repair that is certainly unique. This Main Street property is a former church in Macungie that now serves as the home to a dental practice and apartments. One of the unique features of this property is a classic cupola that was in disrepair. Check out the renovations:

Before

After

That's all for now!

Hellertown Article in Express Times

Downtown struggles to attract shoppers

Adding more retail stores might draw more customers, Hellertown shop owner says.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

By BILL WICHERT

The Express-Times

HELLERTOWN | Kim Embardino has learned her lesson when it comes to holiday shopping on Main Street.

For her first Christmas after starting up Kim's Kountry Kreations, Embardino stayed open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays. The second year, she closed her doors at 7 p.m. Now, the most she does in terms of extra hours is on Sundays between noon and 4 p.m.

"By 6 o'clock, the place is a ghost town," said Embardino, standing behind her shop counter last week. "There's not enough retail. If they could get more into town, it could be more like Bethlehem."

As holiday crowds flock to the Christmas City of Bethlehem, Hellertown is working in the city's shadow to attract more retail businesses and the shoppers who come along with them.

Borough businesses have loyal customers, and some sell the wares of local artisans, but the problem lies with the downtown itself, merchants said. Shoppers might make return trips to specific stores, but they don't always stick around to see what else is further down the street, they said.

"I don't think anyone's going to come to Hellertown to spend the day," said Denise Knauss, co-owner of Klassic Gold, a jewelry shop on Main Street. "Whereas in Bethlehem, they would."

Over the past few years, borough officials and residents created several initiatives to revitalize the shopping experience on Main Street and turn Hellertown into the downtown of the growing Saucon Valley.

Six businesses received $14,500 in state funds this year to improve their facades, and a restaurant guide is coming out next month to promote more than 30 restaurants in the borough, said Mike Schlossberg, the borough business revitalization coordinator for Hellertown. The borough also expects to perform a parking study in the upcoming months with an eye to easing concerns over the perceived lack of downtown parking, he said.

Of the small boroughs in the Valley, Hellertown is one of most fortunate because of its central location, Schlossberg said. Between the upcoming casino in Bethlehem and an expanding population in Saucon Valley, Hellertown has a built-in customer base, he said.

"Hellertown isn't there yet, but it's moving in that direction," Schlossberg said.

The existing collection of downtown businesses, however, might not bring that pedestrian traffic. Of the 140 commercial establishments in the borough, there are only three vacancies, but the majority of businesses are service-oriented, such as nail salons and day spas.

The problem could be seen on the day after Thanksgiving, when the borough held its annual tree-lighting ceremony. A large crowd turned out on Main Street to see the lights turned on and say hello to Santa, but after the ceremony, people went home, said Hellertown Manager Charles Luthar.

"Keeping them downtown is something we have to work on," Luthar said.

Reporter Bill Wichert can be reached at 610-867-5000 or by e-mail at bwichert@express-times.com.

The Facade Program Before and After - A World of Difference

Many of our Facade Program projects are reaching completion, and I wanted to take a second to share the results. Both of these projects are from Coopersburg.

The first is ASERT, LLC. This is the property that was featured in our Facade Program Press Conference. One look at the pictures and you can see why.

Before

After

Wow. As you can see, the entire Facade was repainted, as was the porch, windows and door. Isn't it amazing what a simple coat of paint can do? The windows now stick out in an attractive manner and the building still looks remarkably historically appropriate.

This next property is Frame Your Image, a framing and art shop in Coopersburg. Check out the new sign that the business got.

Before

After

Wow. As you can see, the new sign is clearer, larger and far more colorful. One of my favorite things about this sign is that it ensures it also markets the business by putting its website on the bottom of the sign.

I'll share more pictures as I get them. Happy Holidays!

Facade Program in the News

Hey everyone,

I'm VERY happy to say that our Press Conference yesterday on the Facade Program was a total success. We earned coverage on Channel 69, TV2 and the Morning Call. East Penn Business Journal and the Saucon News are likely to cover the event as well.

Here are links to the Call and 69 stories.

Facade Program Press Conference

NEWS ADVISORY
Executive Cunningham to tout Main Street Façade Program
Will discuss this year’s successes and kick-off program for next year
840 Hamilton Street, Suite 205 – Allentown, PA 18101

MEDIA ADVISORY Contact: Michael Schlossberg
484-809-1796

Façade Program shows State, County, Chamber commitment to urban reinvestment

Coopersburg, PA (November 30) – The Borough Business Revitalization Program will be holding a press conference to discuss this year’s Façade Program and unveil the program for next year. The Façade Program is a 1-1 matching grant program (up to $5,000) whereby private citizens can apply to make exterior improvements to their property. The program is eligible to properties within the downtown districts of participating communities. This year, 37 properties were awarded Façade Grants.

Speakers at the event will be:
· Michael Schlossberg, Borough Business Revitalization Coordinator, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
· William Jacobs, President of ASERT, LLC, recipient of a Façade Grant
· Tony Ianelli, President & CEO, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
· Brian Jeremiah, Department of Community and Economic Development, Pennsylvania
· Don Cunningham, Lehigh County Executive

The press conference will be held on Monday, December 10, 10:00 AM at ASERT, LLC (110 N. Main Street, Coopersburg). ASERT is the recipient of a $5,000 grant that allowed for the entire property to be painted.

Media coverage is strongly encouraged.

The Borough Business Revitalization Program is a regional Main Street Program. It is a partnership between the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Lehigh & Northampton counties, the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and the nine participating Boroughs: Alburtis, Bangor, Bath, Catasauqua, Coopersburg, Hellertown, Macungie, North Catasauqua and Wilson. The goal of the program is to revitalize the urban cores of the participating communities.

Macungie Holiday

NEWS RELEASE
Macungie to hold annual Macungie Holiday
Event will showcase Macungie Main Street and Parks
21 Locust Street – Macungie, PA 18062

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact: Michael Schlossberg
484-809-1796

Annual festival to be held once again

Macungie, PA (November 30) – Mike Schlossberg, Macungie Business Revitalization Coordinator, has announced that the Macungie Holiday will be held once again this year. “The Holiday is a great way to promote the outstanding merchants of Main Street Macungie, as well as the Borough’s civic spirit, parks system and cultural assets,” said Schlossberg. “It is a great way for families to celebrate the holidays.” The Holiday is a joint activity that is organized by the Macungie Institute, Borough of Macungie, Macungie Business Revitalization Program, Macungie 150th Anniversary Committee, Macungie Business Owners Association and many more.

A series of events will be held throughout the day, including:
· Free Trolley and Mini Bus rides throughout the borough.
· Horse-drawn wagon rides through the Macungie Memorial park.
· Holiday crafts and vendors show at the Macungie Institute.
· “Candyland Station” display at the Macungie Flower Park.
· Breakfast with Santa at the Grace Lutheran Church.
· Decorated Santa hats and a party with Santa at the Macungie Fire Department.
· Free coffee, tea, chocolate and cookies, as well as free Christmas ornaments for children to make and Nativity Scenes from around the world at the Macungie Baptist Church.
· Homemade chili, baked goods & beverages at the Macungie Institute (sponsored by Solomon’s UCC)
· Open house with the Macungie Historical Society.
· Decorative Hand Made Tile show and Sale featuring the work of Ann Bartges (226 E. Main Street)
· Artisan display and sale at 20 W. Main Street.
· Gingerbread display and face painting at Kalmbach Memorial Park.
· Refreshments, snacks, a light lunch and vendors will be at the Macungie Rod & Gun Club.
· The Boy Scouts will showcase their totem pole project & historic trains display at the Macungie Institute.

There will also be a borough-wide scavenger hunt with prizes (for both kids and adults). Over twenty stores and organizations are participating in the event. Furthermore, numerous stores throughout the Borough will feature special sales, promotions and giveaways.



Opening ceremonies (including a special ringing of the Town Clock chimes), will be held on Saturday, December 8, 9:00 AM at the Macungie Institute (510 Main Street, Macungie).

Media coverage is strongly encouraged.

Transition, Change and your Main Street Program

I have some interesting information that was given to me by Geoff Brace, Eastern Regional Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Downtown Center. It pertains to Main Street committees and their evolution.

If you volunteer for a Main Street program, I'm sure that you know that this is not an overnight process. Urban revitalization takes a long time and requires years to be truly effective. In the short-term, it may seem like nothing is happening. In the long run, however, a properly executed Main Street revitalization effort can completely change your downtown.

Below are the three distinct phases of Main Street programs. This information is particularly interesting to me, given the timing of our BBRP program. We are only a few months into our third year, which is right on the cusp of the two phases. See below for more information...

Catalyst Phase: The organization is first created. During this phase, the organization learnes basic revitalization skills, builds collaborative partnerships and establishes a credible presence in the comminity (Years 1 - 4).

Growth Phase: During this phase, most of the major activities of the organization take place. Major renovation projects take place as well (Years 3-8).

Management Phase: With most of the major activities completed, the major activity of the organization becomes the maintenance already realized gains. The group constantly monitors the marketplace and helps the district make the necessary economic adjustments. It ensures that the district is well maintained and continues to stimulate physical improvements and economic innovations (Years 8 and beyond).