Exciting work on Myrtle

Work has begun at 555, 557 and 559 Myrtle Avenue (between Classon and Emerson)! Jabus Contractors erected the scaffolding last week and as of yesterday, most of the brick work had already been completed. The property owners aren't stopping at brick and masonry work, they are also working with skilled carpenters to recreate the historic upper and storefront cornices and make repairs to the storefronts.

The buildings used to be home to Hollywood Fruit and Vegetables, a business that operated on Myrtle from 1935 to 2007! Now that the shop is closed, the owners are focusing on getting the buildings in peak condition for new commercial tenants. All spaces are currently available and feature unique historic details (like spindled woodwork and original tin walls and ceilings)in remarkably good shape. If you're looking for a home for your business, call MARP at 718-230-1689 for more information.

The New York Main Street Program (NYMS) is a Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC) grant program administered by the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) to provide financial and technical resources to help New York communities with their Main Street revitalization efforts by: providing financial incentives for the rehabilitation of traditional building stock, fostering small business development, encouraging energy efficiency and addressing issues of code compliance. The NYC Department of Small Business Services has provided MARP with operating support to manage the program for the last 3 years.

Through a competitive process the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project (MARP) has been awarded New York Main Street funds in three previous rounds of funding. To date, we have been awarded $500,000 and as of now, almost all of those funds have been committed or disbursed!

How it works on Myrtle: Our NYMS Grants are matching, reimbursement grants available, through MARP, to property owners and merchants on Myrtle Avenue between Washington Park and Classon Avenue for façade preservation, storefront improvements and commercial interior renovations. Grant recipients employ local contractors, architects, structural engineers and preservationist (depending on the project scope) to complete the work. MARP selects and works with recipients to complete projects that: - Respect the original design of the buildings - Facilitate commercial activity on Myrtle Avenue - Ensure long-term benefits to the improved buildings - Correct immediate health and safety concerns and code violations - Positively impact the Myrtle Avenue corridor.

While you are checking out the building, take a look next door at the Emerson, a recently completed NYMS interior renovation and storefront project. Stay posted for more NYMS updates, two more interior projects will be beginning work soon!