PCDC Grants Boost Downtown Living and Business Spaces Across Phelps County

PCDC GO! DREAM grants are helping spruce up buildings and add new living spaces throughout Phelps County.

A new downtown living space above Sweeney Wealth Management will soon be available to rent with help from a PCDC GO! DREAM First Impression / Exterior Improvement grant. The grant helped fund new windows and replace and repaint exterior trim for the upper-level apartment owned by Eric and Beth Sweeney at 718 4th Avenue in Holdrege. The Sweeneys also own The Drive Golf & Lounge in downtown Holdrege.

The Sweeneys have also renovated the apartment’s interior to create a 1,800-square-foot, two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath downtown living space. It features an open-concept floor plan, perfect for entertaining.

“Obviously, we love the downtown with The Drive and our Wealth Management office already located there,” Eric said. “We want to attract a tenant who wants a downtown vibe and a chic loft-style apartment with walking access to everything downtown has to offer.”

Eric said the PCDC grant was beneficial for the overall project because it allowed them to push the boundaries of what a lifestyle apartment in downtown Holdrege could be.

“We couldn’t thank PCDC and their staff and board enough,” Eric said.

The apartment is expected to be available to rent by March 1. Interested renters should contact Jeremy Klein at Real Estate Connection at (308) 995-6571.

Other recent PCDC First Impression Grant awards include:

SCAR, 307 East Avenue, was awarded a GO! Dream First Impression / Exterior Improvement grant to install and awning and new siding “to make the back of the building match the front of the building more closely so clients can easily and safely use the back entrance.” The backside of the building is visible from West Avenue and from the new Midtown Sculpture Garden. The project also involved replacing downspouts to help with drainage issues.

AP Roofing, 802 Marshfield in Bertrand, owned by Jason McNierney of Bertrand was awarded a GO! HOME Site Improvement / Demolition Grant, a GO! DREAM First Impression / Exterior Improvement Grant, and a GO! DREAM Sign Grant. Funds were used to improve the large mixed-use building used for AP Roofing and as a rental house. The building was pressure-washed, scraped, and painted. New siding, lighting, and fencing were added, creating an improved exterior look. 

Mrs. T’s Townmart, 407 Saxton in Loomis, owned by Tama Sundquist, was awarded a GO! DREAM First Impression / Exterior Improvement Grant for building repairs, four new windows, new doors, siding, and brick repair.