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A year of reinvestment and rejuvenation will be celebrated by four Jamestown neighborhoods at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Dr. Lillian Ney Renaissance Center, as participants from this year’s Renaissance Block Challenge convene to share their neighborhood revitalization experiences.
Landscaping, painting, sidewalk replacement, porch repair, and many other projects were completed by participating property owners this year in areas centered around Hallock Street, Hotchkiss Street, Lafayette Street, and Superior Street. The four groups, which included more than 70 property owners and a mix of owner-occupants and landlords, were among 12 groups that applied to the program.
To date, the participants have put more than $110,000 into exterior improvement projects.
The Renaissance Block Challenge is a component of Jamestown’s neighborhood revitalization plan and is managed by the not-for-profit Jamestown Renaissance Corporation.
Participating property owners are eligible for a dollar-for-dollar match on home exterior upgrades, up to $1,000.
Over the program’s three year history, it has assisted nearly 150 property owners in 15 clusters with projects totaling nearly $400,000. Of that total, nearly two-thirds has been contributed by the property owners.
According to Mary Maxwell, the JRC’s Neighborhood Project Associate, the purpose of the program is two-fold.
“We support improvements to clusters of homes in order to boost curb appeal and cultivate a sense of confidence in that area. But we also want to see people working together to improve their neighborhoods and address problems proactively,” she said.
Groups applying to the program are required to have at least five participating property owners and show a commitment to coordination and communication among neighbors.
Funding for the Renaissance Block Challenge’s matching grants was provided by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation, the Lenna Foundation and Northwest Savings Bank, with additional support from the Chautauqua County Housing Assistance Fund and the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce.
Local businesses were also involved in assisting participants with special discounts and services, including Brigiotta’s Greenhouse and Garden Center, Everydays True Value, Chautauqua Brick, and Mike’s Nursery. Sandberg Kessler, a Jamestown architecture firm, provided participants with an opportunity to receive general design guidance for their projects.
According to Gregory Lindquist, Jamestown Renaissance Corp. executive director, the program’s most important role goes beyond physical improvements.
“Neighborhood identity-building and camaraderie is a key factor in revitalization,” he said.
“If residents feel connected to their neighbors and connected to the future of the city, they are much more willing to invest in a new roof or invest energy into organizing a block club.”
The Renaissance Block Challenge will continue for a fourth year in 2014. Applications and guidelines for interested neighborhoods will be available in late December.
Anyone interested in organizing a cluster can call Maxwell for more information at 664-2477, ext. 224.