Textile Firm to Restore Old Packinghouse

A local business will restore an aged packinghouse with the help of a loan from the city’s Redevelopment Agency.

The council, acting as the agency, recently gave preliminary approval to a $150,000 loan to businessman Steven Harsey to rehabilitate the old building at Bradford and Crowther avenues.

It is near one of the gateways into the city’s old downtown.

Once the rehabilitation is complete, Harsey will use the building for the silk-screening operations of his textile fabrics company, on nearby Melrose Street.

Officials say the packinghouse was built in the early 1920s. “I’m happy to see it being saved,” Councilwoman Carol Downey said. “It’s one of the landmarks downtown.”

City officials said the renovation will help to eliminate blight in the area.

The loan documents will be drawn up for final council approval at a future meeting.