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Front porches to get some attention in Fairport
Front porches to get some attention in Fairport
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The Fairport Office of Community & Economic Development is offering village residents a matching grant program to help renovate, repair or upgrade their front porches.
A collaboration between OCED and the Landmark Society of Western New York, the front porch matching grant will receive initial funding through the Fairport Urban Renewal Agency. The $20,000 initial funding will award qualifying residents matching grants of up to $2,000.
“The Village of Fairport is a traditional ‘front porch friendly’ community with walkable neighborhoods,” said village trustee and OCED board member Kenneth Rohr. “The front porch provides a great place for entertaining and getting to know your neighbors. Our matching grant program will make it more affordable for homeowners to renovate or upgrade their porches to enhance their homes and neighborhoods.”
The program will be piloted in the Deland Park neighborhood in the northwest quadrant of the village. The neighborhood is primarily owner-occupied traditional American Foursquares, representative of a typical early 20th century neighborhood. OCED expects to roll the program out in other areas of the village within the next year.
“The Landmark Society is delighted to help residents of Fairport however we can as they use this welcome grant to help repair and restore front porches in this historic community,” said Wayne Goodman, executive director of the Landmark Society.
The Landmark Society put front porches on its 2018 priority list because of the clear contribution they make to the built environment, officials said. Porches are especially vulnerable to the deteriorating forces of rain, wind and snow and they require special attention to maintain and repair.
“It is critical for the long-term preservation of historic homes and the viability of communities that porches receive significant attention,” Goodman said.
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