Lehighton has awarded contracts to enhance the appearance of several businesses in the borough.

Borough council on a 6-0 vote Monday awarded contracts to the lowest original bidders for each project.

Borough Manager Dane DeWire explained that of the original 16 applications received in February for facade grant funding, eight projects extended the minimum bidding threshold set by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry.

DeWire noted that those eight projects were put out for public bid.

He said the original bidders of the projects were requested to submit formal bids to the borough.

All original bids were resubmitted, and a few additional bids were received, DeWire said.

DeWire then recommended to council that it award the contracts to the lowest original bidders for each project.

The list of contract awards is as follows:

• 366 N. First St., to AJM Construction, $28,800, stucco, windows, siding.

• 127-129 N. First St., Mazella Enterprises, $37,550, new doors, new windows, soffit, siding, fascia, paint.

• 101 N. First St., C. Polette Glass, $2,200, windows; Wells Painting, $7,640, paint; Reinhardt Awning Company, $15,775, awning.

• 125-127 S. First St., Mountainside Construction, $24,750, awnings, windows, paint, hardware.

• 131 S. First St., Chivi LLC, $34,662, awning, brick veneer, new doors, new windows.

• 136 S. First St., Bartush Signs, $19,391, awnings; Chivi LLC, $15,234, trim.

• 101 N. Main Lane, C. Polette Glass, $9,660, door; Wells Painting, $5,410, paint; Reinhardt Awning Company, $7,305, awning.

• 101 N. Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Blvd., C. Polette Glass, $4,050, door; Wells Painting, $6,650, paint; Reinhardt Awning Company, $8,420, awning.

Councilman John Kreitz was absent.

That comes after borough council in May unanimously agreed to award $215,105 to applicable facade grant applicants.

DeWire noted at that time the borough will fund 90% of the projects that it deemed applicable up to $25,000 through the grant it received last year.

He said projects ranged from $7,700 to $37,000, and that three projects are eligible for the full $25,000.

DeWire said that the borough received a $250,000 grant in April 2024 from state Sen. David Argall and state Rep. Doyle Heffley to support downtown beautification efforts through facade improvements.

Mayor Ryan Saunders previously said he spoke with Argall, who was thrilled to hear about it and was looking forward to seeing the progress.

DeWire said at April’s borough council meeting that there has been significant interest in the facade grant program in the borough, adding that the borough received 16 applications.

The purpose of the facade program is to encourage property owners to improve the appearance of their buildings.

The Facade Grant Committee includes council members Autumn Abelovsky, Rebecca Worthy and Saunders.

Eligibility for the grant program is limited to commercial properties located in the borough’s C1, C2 and C3 zoning districts.

Qualifying projects include facade improvements such as siding, paint, brickwork, windows, doors, porches, signs and awnings.

Nonqualifying projects include sidewalks, roofing, landscaping and any work completed before the application.

To qualify for funding, property owners were required to submit a completed application, along with current photos of the building’s facade

Only one application per registered mailing address was allowed. Applicants also had to be in good standing with local taxes, utility bills and code enforcement.

Estimate requirements varied by project cost:

• Projects up to $10,000 required at least one written estimate from a licensed contractor.

• Projects between $10,000 and $20,000 required at least three written estimates.

• Projects exceeding $20,000 required at least one written estimate and would be put out for public bid.

The final selection of contractors for awarded projects will be made by council vote. There is no guarantee that the contractor(s) who provided estimates will be awarded the work.

A 10% funding match is required for all approved projects.

The borough will reimburse 90% of the costs, up to a maximum of $25,000, following submission of formal invoices from licensed contractors.

All work must be completed and invoiced within one year of the public notification of funding awards.

If a project exceeds its budget or undergoes a change in scope, any additional funding will be at the discretion of the borough council.