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Optometrists plan facelift

Mountain View Eye Associates seeks mini-grant for facade improvementsMountain View Eye Associates seeks mini-grant for facade improvements

The Greater Altoona Economic Development Corp. on Monday gave the go-ahead for its design committee to evaluate a proposal that could lead to a facade grant and loan to Mountain View Eye Associates on 11th Avenue.

Mountain View is planning a $20,000 project for two components of its building complex that would include new windows, signs and lights, plus painting and brickwork restoration, according to GAEDC CEO Patrick Miller.

Mountain View is asking for a $5,000 mini-grant, which would require an equal match from the company, and an $8,000 loan, Miller said.

If the design committee determines that executing the grant wouldn’t be in the best interests of downtown, GAEDC could “embellish” the loan to make up for the shortfall, Miller said.

“Sounds good,” said GAEDC member Ted Beam.

A GAEDC committee also has given the go-ahead for a volunteer to refurbish the holiday wreaths that have adorned light poles throughout downtown over the last 10 years.

A woman who is connected with employees of the city Public Works Department wants to do the work at cost, Miller said.

She is repainting the large bows on each wreath and adding gold-colored balls to give the wreaths some highlights, Miller said.

Weathering has turned the bows pink, Miller said.

Miller showed off a finished wreath — the bow a deep crimson — at the GAEDC meeting.

“It looks brand new,” Miller said.

With a stipend he intends to offer the woman — whose name he declined to provide — the cost of the refurbishing will total about $2,000 — about $30,000 cheaper than replacing all 130 wreaths, Miller estimated.

GAEDC will work with the city to provide storage racks in the Heritage Plaza railcar for the wreaths to avoid off-season stacking, which tends to leave them bedraggled, Miller said.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 949-7038.

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