Main Street approves new facade grants
By KATHRYN MARTINEZ news1@kilgorenewsherald.com

Kilgore Main Street Board of Directors approved three more façade improvement grants this week.

Harry Crouse, owner of the Shops at 205, will receive the maximum amount, $10,000, toward façade improvements at the old Longhorn Drug building on Kilgore Street. Crouse recently bought that building and announced renovation plans that include a balcony, fresh paint and sign removal.

Eventually, the second floor will be given over to apartments and retail or office space will occupy the ground floor.

Greg Thurman was awarded $8,282.50 for use at Nardis, Inc.

Thurman intends to paint the building and use glass blockes to fill in the store-front window.

Mike and Jennifer Brown were awarded $ 425 toward sign refurbishment.

The couple has removed the old "furniture & tires" sign and sent it to Kilgore's Taylor Made Sign Co., for restoration and lettering for Jennifer's business, High Maintenance Spalon.

Since the inception of the facade renovation grant program last year the board has approved a total of six grants.

According to Fallon Burns, Main Street manager, Main Street still has approximately $10,000 to award for façade improvement grants this year.

In other Main Street business, Burns gave her monthly report on Main Street activities.

"Things are going great for Main Street," Burns said.

Burns was particularly pleased with turnout of downtown building owners, for a meetand greet luncheon last week.

Mike Burns, of KSA Engineers, and Shelly Potter,of Shelly Potter Architects in Dallas, talked with the Main Street advisory board about plans for the "streetscaping" project planned for next year.

The board will host a public forum next month to accept reaction from the community about the design of new sidewalks and intersections.