The owners of some of Orange’s highest-profile shops are being encouraged to make the most of the opportunity to have Orange City Council help with the cost of upgrading the front of their building by applying for grants under the FutureCity Assistance Fund.
The fund is a $200,000 program delivered over three years. Orange City Council has already shared the cost of improving the frontages of five historic buildings by providing grants of up to $20,000.
FRESH: The building at 240 Summer St is the latest to benefit from a Council program aimed at encouraging upgrades to the streetscape.
Orange Mayor Cr Reg Kidd said the FutureCity Assistance Fund is a great opportunity and is again urging building owners to consider investing in a face-lift.
“Lots of people are talking about the new festoon lights, fairy lights and the new footpath lighting that have given Summer Street a real lift,” Cr Reg Kidd said. “It’s up to building owners to decide if it’s worthwhile freshening up the front of their stores and Council wants to make that decision as attractive as we can by sharing the cost.”
The Bensons coffee shop building is the latest to undergo an upgrade. Painters have been busy sprucing up the upper storey of the building this week, as well as removing a former Midstate Jewellers’ sign. New wall tiles are set to be added at the street level.
Through the FutureCity Assistance Fund the Council is contributing $4,622 to the project.
Owner of 240-242 Summer St, Ms Rhonda Single, admits her building has been in need of a facelift for some time.
“The grant was all the motivation I needed to move on with the work,” Ms Rhonda Single said. “I believe this program is exactly what our city needs.”
“There are some really old dreary looking buildings in the heart of our city and if we want to bring more people to town so they spend more time and money in the CBD, making these street-front buildings more attractive is so important.
