Do façade grant programs work or are they no better than flushing public money down the toilet. I'm unaware of any research done to see what results they produce. But according to Amy Boccodaro of Easton's Main Street Initiative, they are a "great investment in the community." She told NorCo Council's Economic Development Committee on Thursday that Easton has invested $260,000 in façades over the past ten years, and it has been matched by $355,000 in private funds. She claims they increase v=business and eencouerage owners to make other improvements.
6 comments:
Bernie,
Love the picture as this is true to life experience, the mechanical issues are never addressed there for resiepiants of this program still have blightable building inside yet the face paint looks good!
Not that the Ironpigs have to be mentioned but there is a old saying that we all know the wording too!
Potemkin Village after Prince Potëmkin, who allegedly had villages of cardboard constructed for Catherine II's visit to the Ukraine and the Crimea in 1787.
Facade programs are meant to deceive. They do not correct building decay or the well being of occupants. If a community believes it has turned the corner for development, such programs should be dropped.
Public money for "redevelopment" always comes with its own set of unintended consequences, so it would seem that public money to create the *illusion* of redevelopment might be even more susceptible to that.
In the scheme of things, though, it's not a whole ton of money being talked about in this case, so maybe a little experimentation isn't too likely to be harmful...
This is simply Easton's version of Allentown's Strata Flats.
Facades alone are not the answer but they are an important part of public perceptions and other initiatives also must be implemented. Wise business decisions and advertising are all part of revitalization of downtown business districts. The malls destroyd small downtown business areas. Slow climb back from the brink..
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