Grant will help preserve historical aspects of downtown Greensburg

Megan Tomasic, The Tribune-Review, Greensburg
·2 min read

Jun. 14—A new grant will help preserve historical aspects of downtown Greensburg.

Awarded to the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Westmoreland, the $23,375 Keystone Historic Preservation Grant will be used to re-evaluate the Greensburg Historic District, redefine the district-wide facade design guidelines and conduct an individual building conditions assessment at 221-227 South Main Street.

"Greensburg is lucky to have so many historic assets," Brian Lawrence, executive director of the redevelopment authority, said in a news release. "The work funded by the Keystone Preservation Grant will help the redevelopment authority ensure that we're taking the steps necessary to preserve them."

Among the buildings located along South Main Street that will undergo a conditions assessment is the former Advance Furniture building, which sat empty since the 1980s. Structures such as the Advance building, which was home to the city's first department store, "tie us to the history," Lawrence said.

Another grant was recently awarded to the Greensburg Community Development Corp. for the purpose of a beautification project that will bring hanging baskets, a mural and the addition of artistic elements to camouflage old utility boxes along South Pennsylvania Avenue.

The $23,400 grant was awarded by the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County.

The Keystone Historic Preservation Grant is funded through the Keystone Recreation, Park & Conservation Fund with the goal of supporting projects that rehabilitate, restore or preserve historic resources that are listed or are eligible to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places, according to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

"Greensburg has a rich history that has been the common thread in the strength of our community for many generations," Republican Sen. Kim Ward of Hempfield said in the release. "These funds will not only preserve our beautiful history, but will also reinforce that sense of community pride for our residents and make visitors feel welcome in our town."

Megan Tomasic is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Megan at 724-850-1203, mtomasic@triblive.com or via Twitter .