B.E.S.T. Grant Resources
The Bayfront East Side Taskforce provides neighborhood homeowners the opportunity to access grant funding to improve and rehab their property’s exteriors. This funding is awarded in an effort to beautify our neighborhood through restoring home facades, addressing code violations, and emergency repairs. Funding for these types of improvements are grant related, so please check our website and contact us to see what other resources are currently available.
Renaissance Block Grants
Renaissance Block Grants: Qualifying residential properties are located between Holland St. and the west side of Wallace Street, Front Street to the north side of E. 6th Street. These are 1:1 matching grants up to $5,000 for exterior, street-facing improvements. Applicants must supply before photos and at least two quotes along with a completed application form.
For more information on BEST's projects and services, or if you have any questions about the application process for any of our grant opportunities, please contact us.
Helpful Information and links
City of Erie Department of Planning and Neighborhood Resources
Click here for DPNR's newsletter
Compiled by Liz Reyes – Neighborhood Resource Team Leader; kreyes@erie.pa.us
City Hall Closure Dates
- Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24
- Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25
- New Years Eve, Wednesday, December 31
- New Years Day, Thursday, January 1
Refuse Department Updates
Do you plan to have a real holiday tree this season? If so, the City of Erie Refuse Department offers a Holiday Tree Collection, to ensure residents are disposing of their tree properly! Residents can dispose of their tree during the following dates:
- Thursday, December 25, 2025, to Thursday, January 16, 2025
- Place curbside on your regular collection night
There is NO refuse pick-up on Wed. Dec. 24 OR Wed. Dec. 31! Trash is delayed one day, meaning Wednesday trash pick-up is on Thursday and Thursday trash pick-up is on Friday
The LAST day for compost is Dec. 4! This means that after Dec. 4, refuse is no longer collecting grass, garden clippings, hedge trimmings, small branches, and leaves
For questions or concerns, please contact the Refuse Dept. at 814-870-1550
Snowplowing 101
During and after Snowmageddon last year, many residents had questions about the processes that the City of Erie Bureau of Streets follows when it comes to snowplowing. This year, we wanted to highlight the City’s snowplowing process, to help residents understand exactly how snow removal is handled in the city.
- The City of Erie Bureau of Streets maintains over 330 linear miles of streets, with over 45 personnel and about 35 plow trucks
- The Streets Crew has switched to winter hours, consisting of 3 shifts of approx. 12-17 employees each shift with 24/7 coverage
- The only road within the city NOT maintained by city crews is the Bayfront Connector Highway, which is maintained by PennDOT
- As soon as snow is forecasted or begins, 7 salt spreaders with plows are deployed to begin pre-treating the roads
- Once snow accumulates, 6 additional plow trucks, equipped with wing plows and salt spreaders, begin plowing city streets
- The City of Erie breaks the plowing routes into three general areas:
- Area 1 - Odd/Even Parking Streets - Boundaries: The Shore to 32nd Street; from Baur Ave. to East Ave.
- Plowed mainly M-F, 8 AM-4:30 PM, on WEEKDAYS and typically avoided on weekends due to congested streets from on-street parking (unless a snow emergency is declared)
2. Area 2 - Outlying Areas - Boundaries: All areas outside the area described in Area 1
- Plowed after the Odd/Even Parking streets
3. Area 3 – Downtown - Boundaries: Bayfront to 26th Street; Sassafras to Parade
Plowed from 2 AM to 6 AM
- Please remain at LEAST 50 ft. back from ALL plow trucks. This is for the safety of you and our plow drivers!
- Please adhere to Odd/Even Parking as best as possible. This is the #1 issue that causes a plow to NOT be able to maintain your road! You will be ticketed AND your car may be towed if your car is not moved.
- DO NOT pass plow trucks that are grouped together in 2’s or 3’s. This is for the safety of you and our plow drivers!
- It is impossible for our snowplows to NOT have snow go into your driveway. To alleviate this snow from ending up in your driveway, do NOT put snow back into the street!
- Please be kind to our plow drivers. They are working around the clock to ensure our streets are maintained as best as possible.
- If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to the Bureau of Streets at 814-870-1340
PCCD Grant Opportunity
The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) is pleased to announce that the FY 2025–26 Non-profit Security Grant Fund Program (NPSGFP) solicitation is now open!
This program provides funding to non-profit organizations that principally serve individuals, groups, or institutions identified within the FBI’s bias motivation categories for single-bias hate crime incidents. These crime incidents can be found as identified by the FBI's Hate Crime Statistics publication. Eligible applicants may request support for security enhancements that improve the safety of individuals using a facility in Pennsylvania that is owned or operated by the nonprofit
Award Information:
- Funding Range — $5,000-150,000
- Match Requirement - A match is required for requests over $25,000
- Eligible Activities - Security enhancements to protect facilities and the people they serve
Application Window:
- Opens: Monday, November 24, 2025
- Closes: Monday, January 12, 2026, at 11:45 PM
Winter Clothing Resources
As temperatures drop, it is important to ensure everyone has access to warm, reliable winter gear. Listed below are several local organizations that are offering free or discounted coats, hats, gloves, and other cold-weather essentials to individuals and families in need. If you or someone you know could use a little extra support this season, please reach out to Hanna Oleski at (814)870-1223.
- Erie Free Store - 2816 Elmwood Avenue; Open Monday’s from 4:30-7 PM
- Bethany Outreach Center - 204 West 11 Street; Wednesdays from 9-11 AM
- Erie City Mission Thrift - 2064 West 16 Street; M-F from 9 AM - 6 PM
Community Shelter Services - Call 814-SHELTER (814-743-5837) for more information!
Erie Western Port Authority
Click here to learn more about the Erie Western Port Authority
Inner-City Neighborhood Art House
The Inner-City Neighborhood Art House offers a variety of classes for both youth and adults, and it's within walking distance of our neighborhood!
Check out their offerings by clicking here.
You can find their Community Art Programs here.
Erie County Public Library - Blasco Memorial Library
The Erie County Public Library at the Blasco Memorial Library is in our neighborhood, and once the construction of the pedestrian bridge at Holland Street is complete, access will be even easier!
The library has a host of programs, services, and amenities for patrons.
Check out the library's offerings by clicking here.
