COMING ATTRACTION
$2.25 million grant targeted for event space
The Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust is getting a substantial investment from the state to create a festival marketplace and community event space in the heart of Boyertown.
State officials recently announced that the organization has been awarded a $2.25 million grant through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. The mission of the program is to provide money for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, recreational and historical improvement projects.
The grant matches $2.4 million in federal and local investments that will be used to help make improvements to a building to be used as a market and event space, complete with a stage and flagpole plaza.
Nathaniel Guest, executive director of the Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust, said the market recreates a significant Berks County building designed by noted Victorianera architect Frank Furness of Philadelphia.
“This project requires a huge lift, much like all of the rest of the Colebrookdale’s work, and it is only possible through the work of many hands,” Guest said.
In a joint press release, state Sen. Tracy Pennycuick and state Rep. Joe Ciresi applauded the state for its contribution to the construction of the facility.
Pennycuick, a Republican who represents Boyertown in Harrisburg, said she is grateful beyond words to the elected officials across Pennsylvania whose faith and trust in the region resulted in this grant. She commended more than a dozen of her colleagues who advocated for the grant.
Ciresi added that the willingness of his colleagues to work across the aisle is commendable and will result in a downtown landmark that will be a regional draw for all of Pennsylvania.
The project is likely to start construction in 2024.
“This project requires a huge lift, much like all of the rest of the Colebrookdale’s work, and it is only possible through the work of many hands.”
— Nathaniel Guest, executive director of the Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust