Fulton Block Builders to Hold Information Meeting On 2024 Block Challenge Program

Fulton Block Builders will  hold a community information session to answer questions about their 2024 application process on Wednesday January 10th at River Vista Conference Center, 810 South 1st Street, Fulton NY  at 6:00pm. There will be a short presentation on how the program works and plenty of time to get all your questions answered. Two thousand twenty-four is sure to be another amazing year for this program and FBB wants everyone to have a chance to become involved. Any block in the city can apply to the program and this year FBB has received additional funding to promote more east-side blocks to apply.

The FBB Block Challenge is a neighborhood revitalization program that encourages groups of neighbors to collaborate on exterior improvements to their properties, with the goal of building confidence in Fulton’s neighborhoods and inspire others to reinvest. Since FBB’s start in 2017, we have funded 1385 properties and participating FBB residents invested nearly 4 million dollars in their homes. Each participating property owner in a Challenge Block is eligible to receive a dollar-for-dollar match on exterior improvements up to $1,000.

Aside from matching grant funding, participating homeowners have access to discounts from sponsoring hardware stores and garden centers. There are also additional bonuses for corner properties, block leaders and for using the Historical Colors that can found on the Paint Fulton tab of the FBB website. FBB website: https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/apply/

FBB Block applications are competitive s for strong block applications will be discussed at the information meeting. Snacks and drinks will be available.

IMPORTANT DATES REGARDING 2024 Fulton Block Builders

City Informational Wednesday January 10, 2024

Pre-Qualification Forms due by Monday, March 18, 2024

Final applications due by Monday, April 29, 2024

Awards announced Friday, May 17, 2024

Kick off Dinner for Sponsors and Awardees Wednesday, June 5th, 2024

Summer Social- August 4, 2024

Improvement projects must be completed by October 31, 2024

Homeowners learn about the Fulton Block Builder program by attending a citywide information meeting. The next one will be held Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at River Vista Conference Center in Fulton.

Fulton Garden Club Receives AARP Community Challenge Grant

If you heard all the noise at the South First Street gazebo in Fulton the other morning, that was the Fulton Garden Club at work!

The Club worked with the city last year to identify garden areas to work on in conjunction with the City of Fulton - Parks & Recreation The gazebo area rose to the top of the list. So a few club members found the AARP Community Challenge grant application and applied.

Believe it or not we were one of only 310 grantees selected out of 3,600+ applications from across all 50 states, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands!

With this quick-action grant we will be making improvements to the Fulton east side gazebo where Junes in Tunes are held as well as many other community events. We started by power washing the gazebo and grounds to ready the area for painting and planting.

Working on the project are Judy Tracy, Michael Peterson, Jim O'Brien and Deb Pelkey.

The Garden Club thanks Fulton Block Builders for submitting the grant on their behalf.

Fulton Block Builder Group Freshens Watertower Hill Sign

Fulton Block Builder Block Leader Cindy Trombly and her husband John jumped at FBB participant Lynne Leach's idea to freshen up the Watertower Hill sign, as they enter their neighborhood. They spoke with the owner, Larry Rowlee for permission before starting and when given the green light they made quick work of it. They painted the posts a blue that is very similar to the newly updated Welcome signs in the city and planted flowers. It looks GREAT! 

Fulton Block Builder Participant Thrilled with Project

Lynne Leach and her granddaughter Julianna Bidwell are thrilled with their Fulton Block Builder project this year. No more worrying if the stairs are safe and no more cats using the lower entry as a litter box! "We can't wait to paint the stairs next year, and are having a great time watching all of the improvements in our neighborhood," said Lynne. " Fulton Block Builders is making a big difference all over the city!"

Fulton Block Builders present 1st check

Doug and Pat Hart received the first Fulton Block Builder check of the 2023 season.   They are seen here standing behind their newly designed landscaping.

The Harts have participated in the Fulton Block Builders program a few times and say while the reimbursement for home improvements is great, they have really developed an appreciation for the community aspect of the program.

“It’s been wonderful to really get to know the neighbors and work together on our community projects’” Hart said.  The Dewey Drive group installed and maintain a landscape design to mark the Duck Hollow neighborhood.  In addition, the group is planning a  neighborhood garage sale and donating a percentage of profits to the  Blessings in a Backpack program.   “It’s so great to be part of these efforts and give back to our community” Hart said.

Doug & Pat Hart receiving their Fulton Block Builder reimbursement check from Dewey Drive Block Leader Peggy Donnelly.

Health Foundation for Western and Central New York Awards Fulton Block Builders Grant to Showcase Local History

The Health Foundation for Western and Central New York (HFWCNY) has awarded Fulton Block Builders (FBB) a grant for a Living History Tour on South 1st Street in Fulton. “In 2021, HFWCNY awarded a $10,000 grant to FBB and we are pleased to announce that we were selected by the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York @hfwcny, in partnership with The New York Academy of Medicine @nyamnyc, as one of 18 new grantee partnerships through their Age-friendly: Go Local program!” said Linda Eagan FBB Director. “Go Local supports neighborhood-level groups and organizations in building equitable communities through locally focused healthy-aging projects.”

As Eagan explained, “This is a very exciting project that goes beyond FBB’s original mission. A new group, inspired by the success of FBB, came together last winter. They named themselves the ‘Reimagine Fulton Group’ and are working to support the city in its endeavors and helping out where needed. The group decided to highlight the historical prominence of Fulton and came up with the idea of a Living History Tour.”

The tour will guide participants through some of the city of Fulton’s proud past. Once a thriving, industry-based community, like many cities in the Northeastern United States, Fulton suffered as factories with good-paying jobs left the area. Reminders of what made Fulton a great place to live still stand, especially along the Oswego River, a powerful natural resource that flows through the city.

Using the format of a narrated tour, those participating will have the option to walk or travel by bus as a historian provides information about key monuments and moments in Fulton’s past. Some stops along the tour will feature senior citizens sharing stories, enhancing the historian’s narrative with their unique memories. Other stops will feature members from Fulton’s high school and city-based theatre troupes acting out historical moments described in the narration. At the tour’s conclusion, a restaurant on the tour path will provide refreshments for the participants to enjoy, while reminiscing, exchanging stories and discovering connections with one another through a shared past.

Tours will take place on Saturday, September 30; Sunday, October 1 and Sunday, October 8 from 1:00 to 3:00.  Information on how to register for the Living History Tour will be announced in the coming weeks.

Fulton Block Builders has been selected as a 2023 AARP Community Challenge Grantee!

Fulton Block Builders (FBB), on behalf of the newly formed Fulton Garden Club is thrilled to announce we have been selected to receive a 2023 AARP Community Challenge grant. We are one of only 310 grantees selected out of 3,600+ applications from across all 50 states, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

With this quick-action grant we will be making improvements to the Fulton east side gazebo where Junes in Tunes are held as well as many other community events. The Fulton Garden Club, in conjunction with the City of Fulton Parks and Recreation department identified this area as one that, if improved, would be a great asset to the city. This project will create a community garden by turning a neglected gazebo into a showpiece of Fulton’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative. Volunteers will plant flowers, weed and water, paint the gazebo and display colorful banners. The project also launches a Fulton Garden Club, an all-volunteer group dedicated to beautifying public spaces. With strong support from seniors, many with a lifetime of gardening experience, the Club will restore pride in our city by improving existing garden spaces.

“We are incredibly proud that AARP selected Fulton Block Builders for this investment to make the City of Fulton more livable for residents of all ages,” stated Linda Eagan, FBB Director. “AARP is a nationwide leader in making communities more livable and we are honored that they see the tangible value this project will bring to our area.”

About the Community Challenge

The AARP Community Challenge grant program funds innovative, quick-action projects that inspire change in areas such as public places; housing; transportation; diversity, equity, and inclusion; digital connections; community resilience; and more. With additional funding support from Toyota Motor North America, the program is also increasing its investment in projects that improve mobility innovation and transportation options.

This is all part of AARP’s nationwide work on livable communities, which supports the efforts of neighborhoods, towns, cities and counties across the country to become great places for all. AARP believes that communities should provide safe, walkable streets; affordable and accessible housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents to participate in community life.

To learn more about the projects being funded by the AARP Community Challenge across the nation, including all 310 granted projects this year, visit aarp.org/CommunityChallenge. You can also view an interactive map of all Community Challenge projects and AARP’s Livable Communities work at aarp.org/livable.

Shineman Foundation Awards Fulton Block Builders Matching $125,000 Grant for 2023 Block Challenge Program.

“We did it, Fulton! Once again, you came through to support the Fulton Block Builder (FBB) program,” said Linda Eagan, FBB Director. “FBB has received the full $125,000 matching grant from the Richard S. Shineman Foundation presented at the FBB Kick Off Dinner on June 7th at River Vista.”

The Richard S. Shineman Foundation’s vision is to act as a “catalyst for change” to enhance the quality of life in Oswego County and Shineman’s Foundation Director Chena Tucker shared that the foundation’s board members are very encouraged by the increasing and unprecedented collaborations they see happening among groups like the Fulton Block Builders in our communities. “Fulton Block Builders has continued to exceed expectations for its very successful Healthy Neighborhoods revitalization program and our foundation is proud to continue its support of FBB by awarding another $125,000 for its Block Challenge program,” she said.

“From the moment we started the FBB program, I have been amazed at the support and care there is for the Fulton community,” said Eagan. “Fulton businesses, individuals, service groups and, of course, the Richard S. Shineman Foundation all contributed to make what I believe will be our best year yet. As a result, in 2023, FBB has been able to make 169 awards in 21 Blocks throughout the city. The support for the program is fantastic. Since our start in 2017, The Shineman Foundation has awarded FBB $866,000. WOW!”

FBB awards grants to community participants in three different ways. Block Challenge grants are awarded to groups of neighbors who come together and complete an application as a block. It is important that the neighbors involved be in close proximity to one another, share resources and plan celebratory events. Anyone in the city can organize their neighbors each year. FBB encourages neighbors to start talking to each other now about applying for next year’s Block Challenge Grants.

A second grant option often involves groups that have completed a Block Challenge grant who then go on to apply for a Pride Grant. Pride Grants are used for community improvements and can range from $100 to $3,000. This year, FBB Pride Grants will be used to support the exciting Porchfest being planned for July 9, support work on our local churches, install benches on popular walking routes, and install welcome signs to neighborhoods in the city. Pride grants can be applied for at any time during the year.

The third grant opportunity is Paint Fulton grants; seven have been awarded for 2023. These provide Fulton residents with a selection of historic color schemes to use for painting their homes. Awards are $500 and can be combined with the Block Challenge awards.

The Richard S. Shineman Foundation presents Fulton Block Builders with a donation. From left to right are FBB volunteers Ann Casey, Linda Eagan, Penny Halstead, David Phares, Kelly Niccoli, Greg Bailey, Tina Eusepi, Chris Weaver, Shannon Sawyer, Shineman Foundation Director Chena Tucker and Mike Peterson.