Fulton Block Builders Awards First Check to Homeowners

FULTON, NY – The Fulton Block Builders has awarded the first matching grant check to homeowners in the city that were selected for the program.

Based off the Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative, Fulton Block Builders is a grassroots, non-for profit neighborhood revitalization program that offers homeowners partial recovery of their home improvement expenses.

The Richard S. Shineman Foundation provided the FBB with a $100,000 matching grant to kick off funding in the program’s first year.

For selected applicants, homeowners can receive up to $1,000 of a dollar for dollar match for expenses related to exterior improvements to their property.

The first homeowners to receive their check, however, did not choose to receive the maximum recovery amount, though they were able to.

After completing more than $2,300 worth of exterior enhancements to their property, Albert and Ellen Zaranka only requested a $500 return despite the possibility to have received more.

“I wanted to be a part of our block application and show support of my neighbors but also wanted to see the Block Builder money go as far as it could,” said Albert Zaranka. “We’re proud homeowners and like to take care of our property. I hope this program will inspire others to do so. Fulton has a long history of strong and friendly residents, I think FBB reminds us that we each have a part in where our city goes from here.”

Albert and his wife, Ellen, are relatively new to the Fulton area, having purchased their English County Cottage a year and a half ago because of its “fascinating architecture, the beautiful Upstate summers, and because Ellen grew up in the area.”

The two moved to Fulton from Durham, North Carolina, after long and varied careers in the arts and business.

Ellen was a personnel director with offices in New York City and Hong Kong while Albert was a concert pianist teaching and preforming on many stages including Broadway.

“I think this program (FBB) brings people closer together. It’s good to be out front planting and getting to know each other,” Albert said.

“Sharing a ladder or a piece of equipment is a good way to get to know people,” Ellen added. “We can already see positive changes.”

More checks will be distributed throughout the summer a total funding amount of $140,000 will be awarded to 161 homeowners throughout the city, only a portion of the total number of applicants.

Mike Peterson and Kelly Niccoli are the volunteer FBB Ambassadors for Zaranka’s area of the city, offering guidance and assistance through each step of the application process.

Peterson said, “The seeds for reclaiming Fulton have been planted and now we are beginning to bloom.”

The mission of FBB is to revitalize neighborhoods one block at a time and build relationships among neighbors to facilitate a stronger sense of pride in the Fulton community.

Selected neighborhoods will have through the month of October to make all of the improvements of which they intend to recover a portion of their expenses.

When the work is complete, each neighborhood will host an event to celebrate their accomplishments and new relationships with neighbors.

“These are exciting times for our city!” said Linda Eagan, founder of FBB.

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