Our West Bayfront to Renovate Old West 8th Street Building for New Home

The Our West Bayfront neighborhood improvement organization is taking a big step to develop a new home in the old Howard's Photography building near West 8th and Chestnut Streets.

Anna Frantz, Executive Director of Our West Bayfront said the purchase fits with their vision to bring a West 8th Street commercial corridor back to life from Myrtle to Cherry. "There’s quite a few businesses in the area...very close to downtown Erie, but I think there’s the opportunity for there to be more business activity here that serves the need of the residents nearby, so in purchasing this building and putting some investment into it, we hope to attract other businesses and other residents to the surrounding area," Frantz said.

The group purchased the two story historic building at 404-406 West 8th, on the north side of the street. for only $30,000 about a year ago.  It dates back to 1881, built not long after the Erie Extension canal was put out of use.

The plans are to turn the first floor into an office and meeting space for the non-profit organization.  And there is another first floor commercial space they will renovate to rent on the west side of the building.

Upstairs, where there had been four apartments before the building fell into disrepair, Our West Bayfront has plans to develop three residential apartment units for rent.

Although the price tag was low, restoring the building will take a lot of investment. Already the group has significant grants from the Erie Community Foundation, the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority and from Erie Insurance NAPs tax credits.

With eight or more vacant commercial spaces on the west 8th corridor, this is where Our West Bayfront want its headquarters to be, to enhance the vitality of a neighborhood where there is potential and momentum.

https://www.erienewsnow.com/story/40287539/our-west-bayfront-to-renovate-old-west-8th-street-building-for-new-home