ROYERSFORD PA – A proposal to create a pilot program that would help pay for renovation of historic buildings across Pennsylvania, introduced by 146th District state Rep. Joe Ciresi, passed the House on Monday (April 15, 2024). The bill now heads to the state Senate for consideration.
The two-year pilot would be administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Labeled as House Bill 1573, it’s intended to help communities that face the challenges of updating and re-purposing historic buildings. Ciresi acknowledged that’s an expensive task, but one he considers “worthwhile.”
“Pennsylvania is home to some of the country’s most historical and beautiful communities. With them come the high costs of renovation of older buildings,” he said. Many “lack accessibility and weren’t built to meet modern building codes.” The program supports downtown re-investments, assists in revitalization, preserves historic properties and neighborhood character, and creates jobs, he added.
Program funding would help bring mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire-protection systems up to code through the installation of modern equipment such as sprinklers; efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems; elevators, and extra stairs. Grants also could be used to make improvements to entryways and other building features to make buildings more accessible for people with disabilities.
No specific dollar amounts, for either the program or individual grants, were mentioned in a media release from Ciresi’s Royersford office.
Improvements would be evaluated in part based on their ability to facilitate income-generating use of the property. Also to be considered are their contribution to economic and community revitalization, historic preservation, and commercial or recreational opportunities for the public.
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