BROOKLYN — Five downtown Brooklyn locations will be improving their exteriors with funding from the village of Brooklyn. At its August meeting, Brooklyn’s Corridor Improvement Authority board voted to award $4,402 in grants facade improvement grants.
The grants are:
- Angel’s Floral Creations, 131 N. Main St. — $1,000 grant for façade brick repair and exterior coating.
- ERA Reardon Realty, 105 N. Main St. — $1,000 for a new illuminated sign.
- Lakeside Printing, 102 S. Main St. — $1,000 for new wall siding.
- Star Theatre, 119 N. Main St. — $1,000 for façade steel panel restoration.
- Spellbound Owl Boutique, 106 S. Main St. — $402 for exterior sign upgrade.
Now in its second year, the facade improvement program is a way for local businesses to get assistance with improving the exteriors of their properties. All businesses located within the Corridor Improvement Authority boundaries were eligible to apply for the program, which had an open application period of June 1 to July 31. The five entities receiving grants will be reimbursed after the improvements are complete and inspected by the village.
The facade improvement program is funded through the Corridor Improvement Authority’s annual budget, which uses a portion of tax dollars captured from properties along Main Street and Wamplers Lake Road in the district boundaries.
“Our local businesses are a big part of Brooklyn’s small town charm, so it’s exciting to offer funding to help them improve the look of their storefronts,” village manager Matt Swartzlander said in a news release. “This program supports businesses and helps improve the overall look of the community.”
The grant for the Star is part of a larger effort to restore and reopen the historic movie theater. Cody Morehead, memories curator for the group working on the restoration, said it’s an important step in getting the space redeveloped for the community to enjoy again.
“We’re thankful to be a part of the community and to receive this grant,” Morehead said. “It’s wonderful to see the village of Brooklyn caring for businesses in our community and we’re honored to be part of that.”