Exploratory Work to Begin…Temporary Safety Walkway to be Erected Ahead of Work.
Partnership Between FEED Media Art Center, Rob Shearer and Son Construction, and Erie Art Company Launching in August
ERIE, PA — Erie Art Company (EACo), the nonprofit organization collaborating with FEED Media Art Center, announced today that it will begin exploratory work on the facade of its State Street building starting in August, in partnership with Rob Shearer and Son Construction. The project is made possible by a $100,000 Anchor Building Grant awarded to EACo and FEED by the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority (ECGRA) in December 2025.
ECGRA's Anchor Building Grant Program supports local governments, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and municipal authorities in redeveloping, preserving, and adaptively reusing underutilized or historically significant buildings that can serve as catalysts for further investment in a community, neighborhood, or commercial district. Anchor buildings are typically located at the heart of a community and carry historical, architectural, or social significance worth preserving. Since the program's founding, ECGRA has invested in dozens of anchor buildings across Erie County, helping local organizations turn aging, underused structures into vibrant community assets — and EACo and FEED are deeply grateful to be counted among them.
EACo and FEED extend their sincere thanks to ECGRA's board and staff for their continued partnership, vision, and confidence in this project. ECGRA's support does more than fund construction — it reflects a shared belief that historic buildings like the one at 1307 State Street can be reimagined as gathering places for art, culture, and community connection. This grant builds on a broader, multi-year relationship between EACo, FEED, and ECGRA, and the organizations are grateful for ECGRA's ongoing role in strengthening Erie's neighborhoods and downtown commercial corridor.
The grant will fund facade improvements to the FEED building at 1307 State Street as well as the future installation of a large-scale outdoor video screen for public digital art — a first-of-its-kind addition to Erie's downtown arts corridor made possible entirely through ECGRA's generosity and investment in the region's cultural life.
Beginning in August, crews from Rob Shearer and Son Construction will conduct exploratory work on the building's facade, examining the condition of the structure, masonry, and existing architectural elements. This assessment will give EACo and its partners the detailed information needed to plan the scope, sequencing, and budget of the full facade stabilization and restoration project that follows.
As an initial and immediate step, FEED will temporarily erect a protective walkway along the building's exterior to ensure the safety of pedestrians, visitors, and staff while the exploratory work is underway. The walkway is a standard construction safety measure that will shield the sidewalk from the work area above and below. It will remain in place for the duration of the assessment phase, and FEED and EACo are committed to keeping the sidewalk open and neighboring businesses accessible throughout the process.
The exploratory work marks the first phase of a broader effort to evaluate and stabilize the historic facade, carried out in partnership with Rob Shearer and Son Construction and informed by earlier structural assessments and proposals developed with the project's engineering partners.
"We are deeply grateful to ECGRA for making this next step possible," said Brad Ford, Executive Director of Erie Art Company. "Their support has been instrumental not just in funding this project, but in believing in what this building — and this organization — can become for the community. Safety comes first, which is why we're putting up the walkway before any work begins. This exploratory phase will give us the information we need to move forward responsibly with the full facade project, and we couldn't be more thankful for the partnership that's making it happen."
Make Erie a creative mecca: fund accessible studios, expand residencies, fellowships, and public site-specific commissions. Support affordable live-work housing, streamline permits for performances and installations, and partner with colleges for arts education and career pathways. Boost exhibitions, open studios, festivals, and funded mentorships linking emerging and established artists. Ensure equitable, community-led funding so art reflects diverse voices. Market Erie’s waterfront, historic architecture, and Downtown ARTs District as cultural assets. With targeted policy, sustained investment, and cross-sector collaboration, Erie can attract artists, enrich communities, and grow a creative economy.
EACo expects the exploratory work to inform the scope, timeline, and budget for subsequent facade stabilization and restoration efforts. Updates will be shared with the community as the project progresses, including notice ahead of any additional construction activity or changes to sidewalk access along State Street.
EACo and FEED extend their heartfelt thanks to ECGRA for its trust, generosity, and continued investment in Erie's arts and culture community. This project would not be possible without ECGRA's commitment to preserving and revitalizing the buildings that anchor our neighborhoods, and EACo looks forward to sharing the progress of this work with ECGRA and the broader community in the months ahead.
About Erie Art Company Erie Art Company is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Erie, Pennsylvania, collaborating with FEED Media Art Center and supporting arts and cultural programming throughout the region.
About FEED Media Art Center FEED Media Art Center is a media arts venue located at 1307 State Street in downtown Erie, Pennsylvania, presenting exhibitions and programming centered on digital and new media art.
Media Contact Brad Ford Executive Director, Erie Art Company 814.450.9005 info@erieartcompany.com
