Bristol’s Historical Buildings Get $172k Boost from ‘Believe in Bristol’ Grants

In a recent development, Bristol’s historic buildings are set to receive a significant boost. A total of 25 properties in the vibrant Tennessee/Virginia city has been selected to benefit from a collective financial enhancement of $172,000. These funds have been made available through ‘Believe in Bristol’, a façade improvement grant program designed to stimulate economic growth while preserving the unique architectural heritage of the city.

Preserving Historical Integrity

As part of the community-driven venture, the designated properties will witness improvements and upgrades. This money is intended to aid property owners in undertaking projects to revitalize their historic buildings. Executive Director of Believe in Bristol, Maggie Elliott, shed light on this comprehensive initiative. “Our downtown is the historic character of our community. We want to be able to preserve that.”, said Elliott.

These restoration projects aim to highlight the unique architectural grandeur of the city, with everything from minor repairs to extensive preservation initiatives being undertaken. These may include modest enhancements like signage updates and the addition of awnings, to more extensive undertakings such as brickwork and window replacements.

Local Owners Express Enthusiasm

One of the beneficiaries of the program, Joe Deel, owner of the Burger Bar, expressed his enthusiasm about the boost his establishment would be receiving. “With the grant money, we are going to put up new awnings on the outside of the Burger Bar. This kind of spurs us to make the improvements we would like to do anyway, but again, times are tight, so it would not be the number one thing on my agenda.”, said Deel.

The program, besides preserving the facades of these historic buildings, also seeks to ramp up the city’s tourism appeal. Deel echoed similar sentiments, “I think Bristol looking sharp is really important to bring the tourism in. I take it as a personal privilege to be downtown, so when people come downtown, I want us to look our best.”

Boosting Economic Growth and Preserving Heritage

Each recipient property owner has 18 months to complete their projects, a testament to the commitment of Believe in Bristol to spur downtown revitalization while preserving Bristol’s historic charm.

The program does not just focus on aesthetic renovations but extends towards fostering the economic vitality of the area and enhancing its inherent allure. The selection for the grant was based on numerous factors, including economic impact, creativity, timeliness, design quality, degree of change before and after renovations, visual impact, and the level of contribution to neighboring properties.

This move is expected to bring a wave of positivity to Bristol, with the potential to garner more interest among locals and tourists alike. It’s a significant nod to Bristol’s rich heritage and a major move towards the town’s economic upliftment.