New property owner outlines plans, dreams for tourism and local development: The renewal continues in Renovo
By Christopher Miller
RENOVO, PA – Take a look around Renovo. What do you see? Most would mention the mountains that surround the town like a fortress. Some may say the many architectural styles of the homes and buildings. Others might remark about the various empty lots around town where a home or building used to be. And some, a select few, might mention the forgotten properties; the ones that used to be home to a family just starting out in the world, or a couple who had no next of kin to pass the building down to after leaving this world.
It is those forgotten properties that are beginning to be viewed with fresh eyes with the hopes of economic development and prosperity in a town that used to be home for thousands of people.
“An old classmate of mine, Doug Byerly, got in touch with me with an opportunity to invest in housing up here,” said Harrisburg area Real Estate Agent Greg Zembower. “I know that because of the power plant they’re planning to build here that people will be coming to work and need a place to stay, and if that doesn’t happen then I will still have a gorgeous place for visitors to rent and stay in for events and tourism.”
Greg and his business partner Gary Hentz, along with their wives Lynn and Kelly respectively, are very excited to be able to spend time up here while they are working on the properties.
“Doug took us up here on a drive and we checked things out around town and local real estate agent Craig Conti got us into a few places to tour,” Zembower said. “We first bought 706 Erie Avenue with a great space on the first and second floors – second floor for an “Airbnb” rental, and the first floor for commercial/business/retail space.”
“Greg will make a big difference here and have a positive impact on the place,” Greg’s real estate agent Craig Conti said. “He doesn’t care if the energy plant comes in or not as people need a rental unit and place to stay when they visit here, and if the plant goes in then we might be at the helm of another great economic boom which we need, but I know some are against it.”
The first floor space, as Greg explained, “would be great for a restaurant, brew pub, sandwich shop, or cafe to feed the hungry crews working on the plant across the street.”
That same day they toured another property just a few doors down at 626 Erie Avenue.
“It was pretty much the same situation: commercial business on the first floor but with two apartments upstairs,” Greg said, “but the attractive part about this location was the empty lot next to it which could be a space for power plant worker trailers, or other opportunities like a farmers market, or music venue.”
“I have received so much fantastic feedback from the people of Renovo in renovating this old building,” Greg said. This was evident by reading through the comments on his post on the popular Facebook Group “I <3 Renovo.”
“Renovo could very well be the next Jim Thorpe…I want to help get tourists here, it’s a great little town for tourism with the great outdoors outside your door,” Greg remarked. “There are exciting things happening in Renovo along with the recent purchase of the old Yesterday’s Hotel building.”
“The local impact has been remarkable as well,” Renovo Mayor Gene Bruno said, providing a comment for The Record: “Anytime someone comes to this town and wants to take a dilapidated building and bring it back to life like Greg and his business partner adds a new tax base here, and that is a great thing. They did a beautiful job with the place and made a new bright spot here. We have buildings that need attention like the other one they are currently working on and the borough and myself are very pleased with the outcome. It’s a great thing and they are doing a great job here.”
Local historian and retired teacher Rich Wykoff was also very pleased with the positive development seen in Renovo thanks to Greg and Gary.
“It can only be good for Renovo,” Wykoff said. “The business he is looking at is focused on bringing tourists in to enjoy our area and to enjoy the natural beauty of it all through ecotourism, heritage tourism, hiking, biking, ATV, fishing…he is focused on all that the area has to offer, and he is interested in participating and learning about the heritage of this area of Clinton County.”
“This is a great little town with a great environment and a thirst for renewal,” Greg said.
Currently, 706 Erie Avenue is ready to go while 626 is on track to be finished by the summer months. The property is available to view and book online by going to: https://airbnb.com/h/serenity-in-renovo
