CEDC presents 14th storefront cash grant

The Clarendon Economic Development Corporation Board this week awarded its 14th cash award under its Façade Grant Program this week to Landon Lambert.

The award was presented to Lambert for more than $3,900 worth of improvements he made to the north side of his property at 300 S. Kearney in making renovations for the offices of Texas Panhandle CyberMedics.

“The façade grant program was a huge incentive to get this storefront done and done properly,” Lambert said.

Under the terms of the grant, the work qualified for $1,980.80 from the CEDC. Lambert’s grant application was approved in 2010.

The CyberMedic office storefront had been closed off many years ago when the building was the home to JAMZ pizza and sandwiches, Lambert said. Contractors took down the siding, made sure the wall was structurally secure and then installed a new storefront door and windows and also applied a new stucco finish.

Inside, Lambert managed to preserve the original tin ceiling and created a very nice retro-looking office for CyberMedics, the computer service company started by Will Jordan in Howardwick ten years ago. Lambert said he did the remodeling of the office over about two and a half years as he had funds available, but he has more plans.

“Everyone just needs to stay tuned because we’ve got more to come,” he said.

The new aluminum frame windows and stucco color scheme on the CyberMedic storefront will be the pattern for the entire building moving forward, Lambert said. In addition to replacing second- and third-story windows, Lambert says his next focus will be on renting the corner space – most recently the home of Bronco Burger – and remodeling the former City Barbershop on the south side of the building for use as retail or office space.

Since the Façade Grant Program began in 2008, the CEDC has awarded $16,930.60 to property owners on a three-block stretch of Kearney Street.

The CEDC board did not renew its façade grant program for the 2013 fiscal year, choosing to focus resources on the Mulkey Theatre rehabilitation. A flurry of activity downtown in recent months, however, has the board reconsidering that move. CEDC directors will consider revising and reviving the façade grant program when they meet again next month.