Changes Coming to Downtown Bradford
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
Some changes are coming to downtown Bradford, as several business owners make improvements to existing buildings.
Dianne Thompson, pending owner of the former Nusbaum Grocery building on East Washington Street, will be making a number of changes.
Bradford City Council on Tuesday agreed to issue the building inspector permission to issue a building permit to Thompson for installation of new windows, siding and reconstruction of the entryway of the building, making an arched entry.
The interior of the building will be totally renovated, adding living space on the first floor, and upgrades to the electrical, pluming and heating systems. The outside of the building will be painted green and cream, the same colors as The Corner Bar next door.
“Good luck with that, Dianne,” said Mayor Tom Riel. “I think Al (Nusbaum) would be smiling if he knew you were doing this.”
“I do, too,” Thompson said. “Thank you.”
Thompson’s downtown neighbor Joe Fromach, owner of John Williams European Pastry Shop, will continue to make improvements to his building.
Council authorized a $100,000 Economic Development Loan to Frombach.
“I hope, with this, he can keep that $2.99 special,” Riel quipped.
OECD Executive Director Sara Andrews explained that the loan will go toward continuation of the “major renovations” he’s been doing, and he just needed “a little bit more money.”
She said he’s remodeling the kitchen area, adding seating, looking at an outdoor seating area, and possibly an outdoor weekend market, She said he’s also thinking about siding and other improvements to outside of the building.
Riel noted that several years ago, Frombach rejuvenated the garages behind the building and made them part of the pastry shop.
“What he did to those (garages) was amazing,” Riel said.
Also Tuesday, council agreed to allow a new sign for Grandma’s House Tea & Gifts on Congress Street. The sign will be cream, burgundy and green, and will be illuminated with gooseneck lighting. Dwayne Zimmerman owns the building.
Council also agreed to allow Lori Neilly, owner of 53 Main Street, to paint the trim on the front of the building black with white accents.
Also, council accepted a proposal from EG & G Inc. for design of the Downtown Gateway and Streetscape Improvement Project at the Route 219 Elm Street exit. This is the same company that did the design for the Boylston Street Streetscape.
The project will include signage, landscaping and, possibly, improvements to the island where the railroad crossing is, if there’s enough money, Andrews said.PennDOT has already started working on the retaining wall, she said.
The purpose of the project is to "improve the appearance as people are coming into our community," Andrews said.
The cost of $32,595 will be paid from the city’s CDBG program.
The long range plan, money permitting, is to go down Davis Street and connect to Forman Street. One of the major recommendations of the Bradford Master Plan was to improve the gateways into the city.
WESB/WBRR News Director
Some changes are coming to downtown Bradford, as several business owners make improvements to existing buildings.Dianne Thompson, pending owner of the former Nusbaum Grocery building on East Washington Street, will be making a number of changes.
Bradford City Council on Tuesday agreed to issue the building inspector permission to issue a building permit to Thompson for installation of new windows, siding and reconstruction of the entryway of the building, making an arched entry.
The interior of the building will be totally renovated, adding living space on the first floor, and upgrades to the electrical, pluming and heating systems. The outside of the building will be painted green and cream, the same colors as The Corner Bar next door.
“Good luck with that, Dianne,” said Mayor Tom Riel. “I think Al (Nusbaum) would be smiling if he knew you were doing this.”
“I do, too,” Thompson said. “Thank you.”
Thompson’s downtown neighbor Joe Fromach, owner of John Williams European Pastry Shop, will continue to make improvements to his building.
Council authorized a $100,000 Economic Development Loan to Frombach.
“I hope, with this, he can keep that $2.99 special,” Riel quipped.
OECD Executive Director Sara Andrews explained that the loan will go toward continuation of the “major renovations” he’s been doing, and he just needed “a little bit more money.”
She said he’s remodeling the kitchen area, adding seating, looking at an outdoor seating area, and possibly an outdoor weekend market, She said he’s also thinking about siding and other improvements to outside of the building.
Riel noted that several years ago, Frombach rejuvenated the garages behind the building and made them part of the pastry shop.
“What he did to those (garages) was amazing,” Riel said.
Also Tuesday, council agreed to allow a new sign for Grandma’s House Tea & Gifts on Congress Street. The sign will be cream, burgundy and green, and will be illuminated with gooseneck lighting. Dwayne Zimmerman owns the building.
Council also agreed to allow Lori Neilly, owner of 53 Main Street, to paint the trim on the front of the building black with white accents.
Also, council accepted a proposal from EG & G Inc. for design of the Downtown Gateway and Streetscape Improvement Project at the Route 219 Elm Street exit. This is the same company that did the design for the Boylston Street Streetscape.
The project will include signage, landscaping and, possibly, improvements to the island where the railroad crossing is, if there’s enough money, Andrews said.PennDOT has already started working on the retaining wall, she said.
The purpose of the project is to "improve the appearance as people are coming into our community," Andrews said.
The cost of $32,595 will be paid from the city’s CDBG program.
The long range plan, money permitting, is to go down Davis Street and connect to Forman Street. One of the major recommendations of the Bradford Master Plan was to improve the gateways into the city.
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