$120K in Funding Will Remove Blighted Buildings, YWCA to Expand Youth Services into New Space

Mercury File Photo

This blighted twin on King Street will be torn down and replaced with a structure to expand services from the YWVA TriCounty Area.

Pottstown has received two grants worth more than $120,000 that will be used to tear down a blighted property on King Street and replace it with an expansion of the YWCA TriCounty Area building next door.

The original YWCA TriCounty Area building is next door.

The announcement was made by the two state representatives representing Pottstown in Harrisburg, state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-146th Dist., and state Rep. Tim Hennessey, R-26th Dist.

Pottstown Area Industrial Development, Inc. was awarded $92,049 and the Borough of Pottstown was awarded $28,000 for blight remediation projects. 

PAID and the YWCA Tri-County Area are partnering on a project for the demolition and cleanup of two blighted properties at 323 and 325 King Street in Pottstown, which will be replaced by a structure to serve youth empowerment programming, early childhood education, community meeting space and administrative offices.

“PAID is appreciative for this latest vital grant award from the Blight Remediation Program,” Peggy Lee-Clark, executive director of PAID, said in a release announcing the funding. 

State Rep. Tim Hennessey

“These types of investments move blighted projects forward that otherwise would continue to deteriorate with no evident solution, Lee-Clark said. "With this grant, we are one step closer to having this property go back into productive use while supporting the great work of the YWCA Tri-County Area.”

The structures were donated to the YWCA in 2015.  The YWCA will contribute $10,838 in matching funds toward the project

“The structures, deteriorated by long-term water damage, have been a magnet for squatters and vandals,” said Hennessey. “It was determined that neither structure could be easily rehabilitated and do not fit into the current or future programming needs of the YWCA.”

Stacey Woodland, chief executive officer of the YWCA Tri-County Area said: “YWCA Tri-County Area, having been part of the Pottstown community since 1908, is thrilled to be able to support this property investment in the community."

YWCA TriCounty Area CEO Stacey Woodland, left,

gives PA Sen. Bob Casey a tour of the Y's early education

program during a visit in 2019.

Added Woodland, "I echo Peggy Lee-Clark’s statement that this grant puts us one step closer to having this property go back into productive use. I would like to add that this will support the expansion of YW’s work to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.”

“Blight is not only unsightly, it poses health and safety hazards in our communities and hampers economic development,” Hennessey said in a release from his office. “I am pleased to announce the CFA has awarded two state grants to address specific blighted properties in Pottstown."

“This is exactly the type of funding that directly helps municipalities make the improvements that improve aesthetics but also safety,” said Ciresi in a separate release from his office. “I’m proud of and excited for Pottstown and the borough, PAID and YWCA for their efforts to secure these grants. I know that this funding will enhance our deserving community and keep Pottstown on the path to revitalization.”

State Rep. Joe Ciresi.

“The second blight remediation grant was awarded to the Borough of Pottstown to rehabilitate a residential property that presents a danger to the community,” said Hennessey. “The structure is one half of a duplex, so renovation is necessary to preserve the structural integrity of the adjoining unit.”

The $28,000 grant will be used for renovation, partial demolition, fees and administration costs. The borough will provide $3,250 in matching funds.

“This grant award will help to advance stabilization efforts for blighted residential housing inventories in the Borough of Pottstown,” Pottstown Borough Manager Justin Keller said in the release. 

“The funding will be used to improve the appearance of blighted properties and position these properties for future disposition to new owner-occupied owners who share the borough’s goal of promoting responsible and productive end uses that improve the quality of life while also benefiting the borough’s tax base,” Keller said.