Fulton Block Builders Near Completion of Fundraising Goal, Volunteerism is Awarded

FULTON, NY – Operation Oswego County Inc. has donated $2,500.00 to the Fulton Block Builders (FBB) putting FBB closer to our goal!” said Linda Eagan, FBB Administrative Director, reaching 85 percent of the total fundraiser goal.

“Fundraising for the 2018 Grant Challenge has been quite successful. In addition to Operation Oswego County, FBB recently was notified of support from Chuck Handley at Burke’s Home Supply. Residents participating in the Block Challenges will be happy to know that for the second year, Burke’s has moved us closer to our goal and will be offering discounts to approved FBB grant recipients” continued Eagan.

City residents who would like to participate in the program need to form a neighborhood group with 50 percent of the property owners on their block and have them sign the Pre-Application stating that they are interested in the matching grant funding and want to learn more about FBB.

Blocks can be made up of both sides of one street or of the homes within 4 streets.

FBB Ambassadors are available to help applicants through the process. Follow us on Facebook at look for information on our website.

Operation Oswego County’s mission is to establish and implement sound economic development strategies to enhance the economic vitality of Oswego County’s businesses, industries and citizens leading to an overall better quality of life.

“Key to our mission is the creation and retention of job opportunities, diversification and strengthening of our economic base, and developing the local economy in a planned, organized and environmentally friendly atmosphere. We think the Fulton Block Builder project fits into this mission perfectly” said Michael Treadwell, Executive Director.

Recently, the Fulton Block Builders were awarded for their volunteerism.

In 2007, the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce created a new award in Jan Rebeor’s honor: the Jan Rebeor Community Champion Award.

Every year, the Chamber presents this prestigious award to a Chamber member from the greater Fulton community who has shown an unselfish long-term commitment to the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

On Tuesday February 13, 2018, Jan Rebeor chose to present the Community Champion Award to a group of individuals; the Fulton Block Builder Volunteers.

The volunteers are humbled to be recognized by Mrs. Rebeor. She is long-time advocate for the city of Fulton and embodies the strengths-based approach FBB is founded on.

Not one to sit back, Rebeor is actively involved with Fulton’s Project Bloom, the annual City of Fulton Community Development Agency Home Show. She also lends her time and talent to the United Way Stone Soup luncheons, St. Luke’s John Foster Burden Fund, Fulton’s Tree/ Arbor Day Committee, Tunes in June, Friends of Voorhees Park, Jazz Fest, and the City of Fulton’s Christmas lighting and decorations, just to name a few.

FBB strives to encourage community activism, like Jan’s, in residents by building a sense of community and focusing on civic engagement while empowering residents to work together.

FBB’s goal is to have residents become engaged in their community and neighborhood and to take a proactive role in creating positive change. FBB is encouraging neighbors to get-together and complete the pre-application for the 2018 Block Challenge.

Another way to become a part of FBB, is by donating to the 2018 campaign today.

What’s even more exhilarating is that every dollar you donate is matched two-to-one by the Richard S. Shineman Foundation.

Remember, all donations are tax deductible and go directly to the Block Challenge grants and promotion of the program. There are no paid staff!

FBB donations can be made on the website at: https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/donate/ or by mail: Fulton Block Builders; 125 West Broadway; Fulton, New York 13069.

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

From the left, Jennifer Whalen, Reyne Pierce, Fulton Block Builders (FBB) volunteers, Karen Perwitz, of Operation Oswego County Inc. (OOC) and FBB, Michael Treadwell, Executive Director OOC Inc., Evelyn LiVoti, Austin Wheelock of OOC and FBB committee members Cheryl Baldwin, Carol Streeter and Penny Halstead.

Paint Fulton - Find Your Color

In 2018, ANY HOMEOWNER in the city will be eligible for grant awards that use these historic colors. Paint Fulton – Find Your Color provides Fulton residents with a selection of historic color schemes to use for painting their homes. Up to 50 possible combinations of colors are possible when using the 10 schemes (See how on the Fulton Block Builders Website). Only the colors within a single scheme can be used. Property owners do not have to use all of the colors in a scheme, but must use at least two out of the 4 available (body, trim, accent, bonus colors).

Homeowners can fill out a simple application. If your application is approved, paint your house using one of the historic color schemes. The entire house must be painted, and if the project is completed by October 31, 2018, you will receive up to $500.00 reimbursement check.

What’s more - you can combine the Paint Fulton Bonus with the FBB Block Challenge Award and the corner bonus. Giving one homeowner a chance for up to $2,000.00 in reimbursements. Awardees will have a photo of their home featured on the Fulton Block Builders website and Facebook page.

Find Your Color was prepared by Architectural Historian, Susan Arena, who grew up in Fulton but now resides and works in the greater Boston area. Find Your Color provides definitions to help homeowners decide what style their home is. Once the style is determined, homeowners may select an approved color scheme from the coordinating chart, found in the Paint Colors section. By using the charts, each style can identify acceptable paint colors and where to use them appropriately. “Please note that these paint schemes are guidelines and the application of colors to specific elements will vary depending on the intricacy of the design. If you have questions or need assistance, I am happy to talk with any homeowner.” said Arena.

Today Susan is an Architectural Historian and meets the Secretary of the Interior's professional qualification standards, in the areas of Architectural History and Historic Preservation. It is Susan’s love of history, her hometown and her keen sense of community that has led her to volunteer to put together historical paint palettes for homeowners in the city of Fulton to refer to.

Paint Fulton Historical palettes are available on the Fulton Block Builder website at https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/find-your-color/

Fulton Block Builder Volunteers are honored

In 2007, the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce created a new award in Jan Rebeor's honor, the Jan Rebeor Community Champion Award. Every year the chamber presents this prestigious award to a chamber member from the greater Fulton community who has shown an unselfish long-term commitment to the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce. On Tuesday February 13, 2018, Jan Rebeor chose to present the Community Champion Award to a group of individuals; the Fulton Block Builder Volunteers.

The volunteers are humbled to be recognized by Mrs. Rebeor. She is a long-time advocate for the city of Fulton and embodies the strengths-based approach, Fulton Block Builders (FBB) is founded on. Not one to sit back, Jan is actively involved with Fulton's Project Bloom, the annual City of Fulton Community Development Agency Home. She also lends her time and talent to the United Way Stone Soup luncheons, St. Luke's Foster Burden Fund, Fulton's Tree/Arbor Day Committee, Tunes in June, Friends of Voorhees Park, Jazz Fest, and the City of Fulton's Christmas lighting and decorations, just to name a few.

FBB strives to encourage community activism, like Jan's, in residents by building a sense of community and focusing on civic engagement while empowering residents to work together. FBB's goal is to have residents become engaged in their community and neighborhood and to take a proactive role in creating positive change.

FBB is encouraging neighbors to get together and complete the pre-application for the 2018 Block Challenge, a program that offers matching funds to each participating home owner up to $1,000 (dollar-for-dollar match) to put towards exterior home improvements. There are bonuses for use of historical colors and for corner properties as well as discounts at local businesses. More information about FBB can be found at: https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com or on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/fultonblockbuilders/

Important Dates:

• 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
• Tuesday, May 1, 2018 - FBB grant awardees announced
• Wednesday, May 16, 2018 - FBB Kick-Off Event for awardees and sponsors

Another way to become a part of FBB is by donating to the 2018 Campaign today. What's even more exhilarating is that every dollar you donate is matched 2-to-1 by the Richard S. Shineman Foundation. Remember all donations are tax deductible and go directly to the Block Challenge grants and promotion of the program. There are no paid staff!

FBB donations can be made on the web site at: https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/donate                                                                             Or by mail: Fulton Block Builders, 125 West Broadway, Fulton, New York 13069

Fulton Block Builders preserve green space, architectural value

By Lexie Kwiek lexie@fultonvalleynews.com

The grassroots neighborhood revitalization program that completed 126 exterior home improvement projects in 2017 is back for a second year, and has already started engaging new stakeholders throughout the city of Fulton.

After a successful initial year of community building and property beautification, the Fulton Block Builders (FBB) wanted to find a way to share information about the Block Challenge program with more city residents, said FBB Administrative Director Linda Eagan. Participants from last year’s program suggested hosting an informational meeting, which Eagan and FBB volunteers facilitated on Jan. 17 at the River Vista Conference Center.

“We had seen with many nighttime meetings that life can often get in the way and they aren’t really well attended,” said Eagan. The FBB meeting proved to be an exception, with more than 80 individuals present to learn more about the Block Challenge program.

“We were not familiar with most of the people that attended,” said Eagan. “It really brought in some new interest.”

As part of the presentation, Eagan gave guests an overview of FBB and the Block Challenge in particular, which provides property owners with a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $1,000 for exterior home improvements. The unique feature of the program is homeowners must participate together in order to receive funding. At least 50 percent of the houses in a block or cluster must commit to completing exterior repairs in order to be eligible for the funding.

Eagan said while the Block Challenge’s first year was a success, there are still many people with questions about how the program works. One of the most frequently asked questions she receives is about program funding.

“People think we’re a government program, but we’re not,” said Eagan. She said FBB is a grassroots, neighborhood beautification program that relies on donations to operate.

One of the project’s biggest donors is the Shineman Foundation, which has offered FBB a second matching grant of up to $100,000 to support projects in 2018. The grant doubles any donations made by businesses or individuals, offering $2 for every $1 raised. In order to maximize the Shineman funding, FBB must raise at least $50,000 by the end of April, said Eagan.

“We’re at 85 percent of our goal,” said Eagan. “We’re out there every day actively recruiting both businesses and individuals to support the program.”

This active recruitment strategy also allows Eagan and fellow block builders to answer one of the other major questions people still ask, which is, “What types of repairs does the Block Challenge fund?”

“It’s all street appeal,” said Eagan, explaining the Block Challenge funds can only go toward exterior repairs and beautification efforts.

Eagan said popular projects in 2017 included landscaping, rebuilding front steps, and replacing sidewalks, windows and doors. While the list of potential projects is extensive, Eagan said there are a few items FBB does not fund.

“We don’t support the removal of green spaces,” said Eagan. “Green is good for a city.”

She said an example of a project that would not receive FBB support could be if someone owned a property with multiple residences and realized there was not enough off-street parking for all of their tenants. Eagan said FBB would not provide funds for the property owner to expand the driveway over their grass and lawn.

Along with preserving green space, FBB also looks to keep the original charm of Fulton houses intact.

“We look to preserve the architecture and character of properties in the city,” said Eagan. “We want to keep the architectural value of the homes.”

Eagan said an example of a project that would not receive support would be if a homeowner wanted to remove hand-carved knoll posts from their front entrance and replace them with two-by-four boards. She said FBB also looks to preserve original wooden siding rather than remove and replace it with vinyl.

“We would rather repair and repaint clapboard than take it down and replace it with vinyl siding,” said Eagan. “But we will support the upkeep of vinyl siding that is already on a house.”

To help with exterior painting, Eagan recommends homeowners take advantage of the Paint Fulton program. According to the FBB website, “Paint Fulton provides City of Fulton residents with a selection of historic color schemes to use for painting their homes.”

In 2018, ANYONE in the city can receive a $500 reimbursement if they utilize the Historical Colors. 

“A person anywhere in the city can apply, whether they are part of the Block Challenge or not,” said Eagan. “Last year we had four people participate in using the historical colors. We would like to see that number grow.”

For more information on applying for Paint Fulton or Block Challenge funding, visit www.fultonblockbuilders.com.

Eagan reminds all property owners interested in the Block Challenge to complete their pre-application before the March 16 deadline. Once they have recruited at least half of the neighbors living on their block or in their cluster and submitted the initial application, representatives from FBB will meet with applicants to explain the fine details of the program and help create a strong application to be submitted before April 18.

The Eggletons stand in front of improvements they made with support from the 2017 Fulton Block Builders Block Challenge. They used the matching grant program to update windows and add new landscaping to their front lawn. The deadline for pre-applications for the 2018 Block Challenge is March 16. For more information visit www.fultonblockbuilders.com.

Fulton Block Builders Twenty Eighteen season begins with huge support and interest

On January 17, 2018 Fulton Block Builders (FBB) hosted a one-time citywide informational meeting at River Vista. Linda Eagan, FBB Administrative Director and the FBB committee volunteers were very pleased to see over 80 people in attendance, many of which they had never spoken with before. Eagan stated, “There was fabulous new energy and new block leaders were emerging before the night was over. I can’t thank the team of volunteers that worked before, during and after the event, enough. Feedback from those in attendance was excellent.”

Pathfinder Bank, InterFace Solutions, Northern ACE Home Center and River Vista provided financial and printing support to put the Informational Event on, which means none of the money spent will take away from the grants that Fulton Block Builders can distribute in 2018. Partnerships, relationships, pride, beauty and neighborliness are the foundation of the Fulton Block Builder program. This kind of business support is testimony to what can be accomplished, said Eagan.

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

Become a part of this exciting piece of Fulton’s history by donating to the 2018 Campaign today. What’s even more exhilarating is that every dollar you donate is matched 2-to-1 by the Richard S. Shineman Foundation.  Remember all donations are tax deductible and go directly to the Block Challenge grants and promotion of the program. There are no paid staff!

FBB donations can be made on the website at: https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/donate/

Or by mail, send checks to:

Fulton Block Builders

125 West Broadway

Fulton, New York 13069

The Fulton Block Builder Citywide Information meeting was a great success with over 80 people in attendance

Fulton Block Builders seek to learn all they can from the successes of the Oswego Renaissance Association

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

Fulton Block Builders Fundraising Campaign begins with quite a few "firsts" for 2018

The Fundraising Campaign for 2018 has started off with several momentous firsts.

Universal Metal Works launched the first business support for the grass- roots revitalization project, Fulton Block Builders (FBB):  2018 campaign. The Sharkey’s were impressed to learn that there was a quarter of a million dollars invested in 22 distinct blocks and 127 properties in 2017. John Sharkey III said, “The first year was very inspiring, I am happy to see this kind of excitement in the city and am pleased to support further growth.” John IV said, “Fulton has many positive attributes for living and doing business, it’s impressive to see a program like this take off in such a strong way and we are proud to be a part of it.”

Legislator Karasek said, “I represent the 22nd District which includes parts of the City of Fulton and I am impressed with the positive energy FBB is bringing to our residents. I make a point of supporting and sponsoring initiatives that I think are good for my District, so this decision was an easy one for me.” Linda Eagan, Administrative Director of the Fulton Block Builders (FBB) said, “Legislator Karasek saw the positive potential for this program early last year and donated his entire county raise to the program in 2017 and now has made another strong commitment for 2018. Fulton residents are lucky to have this kind of leadership and backing!”

Dennis and Kellie Merlino went to the Fulton Block Builder website and made a $10.00 monthly reoccurring contribution. Dennis and Kellie were actively involved in the Fulton Block Builder (FBB) inaugural year – 2017, by being Block Leaders as well as Ambassadors. But that wasn’t enough, they have been watching the enthusiasm grow in the city and wanted to do even more! They expressed strong excitement about the Shineman $100,000 matching grant and wanted to get FBB off to a great fund-raising start. Dennis said, “Kellie and I are challenging community members to help support this growth. So, we are challenging each of you to donate to Fulton Block Builders today.  We used the very simple PayPal link on the Fulton Block Builders web page: Donate”

Photos (l to r):

John Sharkey III and John Sharkey IV, owners of Universal Metal Works, pledge the first business donation in support of the 2018 Fulton Block Builders - Block Challenge.

Legislator James Karasek, representing the 22nd District in the Oswego County Legislature, is the first public official to pledge financial support to the FBB 2018 Fundraising Campaign.

Dennis and Kellie Merlino make the first community member contribution in support of the 2018 Fulton Block Builders program.

Fulton Block Builders Invite You to a Citywide Meeting

Fulton Block Builders have gathered to begin planning the 2018 year.

It all starts with a Citywide meeting and YOU ARE INVITED!

Come the the River Vista Conference Center at 810 South First Street on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at 6:00pm.

What will we be doing?

* Explaining how the Healthy Block Initiative works.

* Helping you see how you can become part of bringing PRIDE
back to your neighborhoods.

* Explaining how you can help your neighbors become involved.

* Reviewing what kinds of projects we will help you with and
what you and your neighborhoods need to do to be eligible for
the grants.

There are great conversations and a lot of information to be had during a questions and answers session afterward. Come meet your Ambassadors and Block Leaders who have helped to transform neighborhoods in 2017. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

There has been a great deal of interest in the program for 2018 and we ask that, in order to accommodate everyone at River Vista, you limit the number of people per family attending to 1 or 2 .

Come on Fulton! Let's move Pride forward in 2018!!

Like this post and share this post to get the word out.

Happy Holidays Fulton. See you soon!