Lebanon, PA - Lebanon looks like it will be getting a bit of a facelift next year. City Council plans to spend about $1,000,000 from the federal government on improving streets and fixing up rundown buildings.

About a year ago, Tabatha Backenstoes said goodbye to Lebanon and headed for the state of Indiana. But it was too hard being away from her family so she and her two-year-old-son moved back home.

Tabetha said she's noticed a change over the years in Lebanon that's alarming. "Worse, a lot worse from when I grew up here," said Backenstoes. "Nowadays you see buildings around here all boarded up. Nothing being done to them."

City Council members showed by their votes, that they are trying to do just that, fix things up a bit. On Monday night, council unanimously approved a plan to spend $870,000 in federal grant money.

$150,000 will go toward home rehabilitation and to help first time home buyers. $130,000 will be spent on police overtime and the patrol of high crime areas. $125,000 will be used for street improvements.

Other money will be used to hire two new code enforcement officers and for demolition projects.


"It definitely helps," said Lebanon City Councilman Richard Wertz. "It helps people that need to fix up their property in ways they might not be able to afford to."

That's all good news for Tabatha who wants to raise her son in a city that she's proud to call home..

"I want him to grow up in a city that's actually, I wouldn't say Lebanon is not beautiful but it could look better," said Tabatha. "I want it to look better for when he grows up and I can look back and tell him, hey that's where I grew up, that's what it used to look like."

The federal government has to approve use of the funds before work can get started.  

 

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