History Repeats Itself
Everything old is new again as grants help restore buildings to past glory
Inspired by the past, Frank Centofanti plans to restore turn-of-the-century detailing to his downtown buildings.
Built in 1885, Frank Centofanti’s storefront on the Crown Point square houses two tenants – and some big dreams. For owner Centofanti, the restoration of 100 S. Main Street is “a passion.” For the city of Crown Point, it’s an important step in a master plan designed to return the historic downtown to the look and feel of its glory days. “Financially, this won’t bring me back that kind of money,” Centofanti says of the $100,000 estimated cost of restoration. “But it’s for my own satisfaction.” Apparently, the city itself is also expecting some satisfaction. Launched in 2005, its Downtown Façade Grant Program matches dollar for dollar – up to $25,000 – the investment of a property owner in restoring the exterior of buildings on the downtown courthouse square. Should the owner “go that extra mile to bring the structure back to its original configuration,” the city will go as high as $50,000, explains Frank Mosko, director of the Crown Point Department of Economic Development. That extra level of authenticity is Centofanti’s goal. “It’s a really great thing,” he says of the grant program.
“If I had to do this on my own, I would never spend that kind of money on it. It would just be too costly. But if you can get $100,000 worth of work for $50,000, that’s a lot of incentive.” Based on a photograph of his building taken in 1890, Centofanti knows that the structure was once crowned with decorative brick triangles and a parapet wall. In another photo taken in 1937, the roofline embellishments are gone. His restoration plans include restoring the triangles and parapet and replacing windows and doors that are no longer the size and style of the originals. One nod to the 21st century is necessary, however. A previous owner painted the aging bricks, and they’re not able to withstand a vigorous power washing. Instead, Centofanti repaired the mortar and painted the building a brick red, similar to the color of the restored courthouse.
Centofanti is certainly not alone in his passion for history and historic preservation. Restaurateur Angelo Pappas was the first property owner to take advantage of the grant program. He owns four façades on the square, including Twelve Islands Restaurant, which is run by his son, Milton. Pappas has hired an architect with historical restoration experience to ensure his renovations are up to snuff. Property owners apply to the Crown Point Historic Preservation Commission for their grants “to make sure that the work they are proposing to do is in compliance with the standards for historic rehab,” Mosko says. The city adheres to federal Secretary of Interior regulations, since Crown Point’s square is a National Historic District. After review by the Historic Preservation Commission, the project is then recommended for funding to the Crown Point Redevelopment Commission. The downtown is designated as a tax increment financing district, meaning that some property tax dollars are pumped back into the district for improvements. “Downtown Crown Point is basically the epicenter of the community,” Mosko says. “Several years ago, the city, the chamber and the Courthouse Foundation made the effort, raised the money and restored the old county courthouse, which is obviously the center of the town square. That began the commitment to keep the downtown very viable.” In March 2006, the city also unveiled a 10-year plan to improve downtown infrastructure, including parking, signage, traffic control, an avenue for bike traffic and open spaces. Mosko says the city’s efforts are “already beginning to pay off.” Two developers have announced plans for new construction – an upscale retail development and condominiums. Since Crown Point is one of the few communities in the state with such downtown determination, Mosko adds, “Crown Point is out there on the cutting edge with this.” Story by Sharon H. Fitzgerald
Photo by Brian McCord
‘T’ for Tourism
Biz Briefs
Everything old is new again as grants help restore buildings to past glory
Inspired by the past, Frank Centofanti plans to restore turn-of-the-century detailing to his downtown buildings.
Built in 1885, Frank Centofanti’s storefront on the Crown Point square houses two tenants – and some big dreams. For owner Centofanti, the restoration of 100 S. Main Street is “a passion.” For the city of Crown Point, it’s an important step in a master plan designed to return the historic downtown to the look and feel of its glory days. “Financially, this won’t bring me back that kind of money,” Centofanti says of the $100,000 estimated cost of restoration. “But it’s for my own satisfaction.” Apparently, the city itself is also expecting some satisfaction. Launched in 2005, its Downtown Façade Grant Program matches dollar for dollar – up to $25,000 – the investment of a property owner in restoring the exterior of buildings on the downtown courthouse square. Should the owner “go that extra mile to bring the structure back to its original configuration,” the city will go as high as $50,000, explains Frank Mosko, director of the Crown Point Department of Economic Development. That extra level of authenticity is Centofanti’s goal. “It’s a really great thing,” he says of the grant program.
“If I had to do this on my own, I would never spend that kind of money on it. It would just be too costly. But if you can get $100,000 worth of work for $50,000, that’s a lot of incentive.” Based on a photograph of his building taken in 1890, Centofanti knows that the structure was once crowned with decorative brick triangles and a parapet wall. In another photo taken in 1937, the roofline embellishments are gone. His restoration plans include restoring the triangles and parapet and replacing windows and doors that are no longer the size and style of the originals. One nod to the 21st century is necessary, however. A previous owner painted the aging bricks, and they’re not able to withstand a vigorous power washing. Instead, Centofanti repaired the mortar and painted the building a brick red, similar to the color of the restored courthouse.
Centofanti is certainly not alone in his passion for history and historic preservation. Restaurateur Angelo Pappas was the first property owner to take advantage of the grant program. He owns four façades on the square, including Twelve Islands Restaurant, which is run by his son, Milton. Pappas has hired an architect with historical restoration experience to ensure his renovations are up to snuff. Property owners apply to the Crown Point Historic Preservation Commission for their grants “to make sure that the work they are proposing to do is in compliance with the standards for historic rehab,” Mosko says. The city adheres to federal Secretary of Interior regulations, since Crown Point’s square is a National Historic District. After review by the Historic Preservation Commission, the project is then recommended for funding to the Crown Point Redevelopment Commission. The downtown is designated as a tax increment financing district, meaning that some property tax dollars are pumped back into the district for improvements. “Downtown Crown Point is basically the epicenter of the community,” Mosko says. “Several years ago, the city, the chamber and the Courthouse Foundation made the effort, raised the money and restored the old county courthouse, which is obviously the center of the town square. That began the commitment to keep the downtown very viable.” In March 2006, the city also unveiled a 10-year plan to improve downtown infrastructure, including parking, signage, traffic control, an avenue for bike traffic and open spaces. Mosko says the city’s efforts are “already beginning to pay off.” Two developers have announced plans for new construction – an upscale retail development and condominiums. Since Crown Point is one of the few communities in the state with such downtown determination, Mosko adds, “Crown Point is out there on the cutting edge with this.” Story by Sharon H. Fitzgerald
Photo by Brian McCord
Additional Business Articles
‘T’ for Tourism
Biz Briefs