Recently Fulton Block Builder (FBB) volunteers sat down to meet with the Oswego Renaissance Association founders Paul Stewart and Steve Phillips. FBB volunteers came with a list of questions for Paul and Steve, who graciously took time to answer each one. Alissa Viscome, an FBB Ambassador, had lots of questions about supporting and advising new block leaders. “I think we did pretty well in our first year, but there are always ways to improve. The experience Paul and Steve have had will help us do that.” Karen Perwitz has been working to streamline the FBB application process and timeline. She said, “We are fortunate to have this valuable resource that we can come to and bounce ideas off. Paul and Steve have been extremely supportive.”
Paul Stewart, the Executive Director of the Oswego Renaissance Association (ORA) just completed the 4th year of the Healthy Neighborhood Initiative in Oswego. To date, over 2 million dollars of private investment has been leveraged into Oswego Renaissance neighborhoods. They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and Eagan and the FBB volunteers are anxious to imitate ORA’s achievements!
IMPORTANT DATES REGARDING 2018 Fulton Block Builders:
- Friday, March 16, 2018 – FBB Neighborhood Recruitment Forms (Pre-applications) are due
- Wednesday, April 18, 2018 – Final applications are due
- Monday April 30, 2018 – Deadline to reach the Shineman Match needed to secure $100,000.00
- Tuesday May 1, 2018 – FBB grant awardees announced
- Wednesday, May 16, 2018 – FBB Kick Off Event for awardees and sponsors
City residents who would like to participate in FBB need to form a neighborhood cluster with a minimum of 50% of the property owners in their vicinity. The group can include homeowners or landlords. Once a cluster has formed, the pre-application process begins. The matching grant funding will cover expenses are for exterior property improvements to groups of homeowners on a single block - in targeted neighborhoods - throughout the city of Fulton. Aside from matching grant funding, participating homeowners have access to discounts from sponsoring hardware stores and garden centers
The Oswego Renaissance founders Paul Stewart and Steve Phillips share advice and wisdom with Linda Eagan, Alissa Viscome and Karen Perwitz from Fulton Block Builders