ROCHELLE — On Thursday, Dec. 5, the City of Rochelle presented a facade grant check for $5,000 to Fearer Nye & Chadwick at 420 4th Ave. in Rochelle. 

The facade grant program covers half the cost of any improvements made to business fronts in town with a limit of $5,000. The improvements included new siding, lighting, a sign and roofing work. Fearer Nye & Chadwick's leadership includes Partners Paul & Kaycee Chadwick, Robert Chadwick and Phil H. Nye Jr.

“Previously there was some cedar siding that had been here for a long time covering up some old brick,” Paul Chadwick said. “We didn't want to be constantly repainting it, so we figured we'd get something more durable. That was the main improvement. We added some lighting to the outside. We got a new sign. We had an old, weathered sign that had been there a long time. We put a new roof on one side of the building recently. We're going to be doing new windows next.”

Armoured Exteriors did the steel siding and mansard roof. Blue Flame Decor did the all-weather sign. Fearer Nye & Chadwick has been a law firm since 1878. Paul & Kaycee Chadwick purchased the building from Phil Nye Jr. & William Fearer III last December, who had purchased the building from their fathers, former partners in the firm.

“This law firm has been in the downtown for a long time,” Kaycee Chadwick said. “Seeing the commitment and investment from other businesses downtown made us feel that we wanted to invest too in making the downtown nicer. We're happy to be here. We look forward to serving clients for several more years in Rochelle.”

Robert Chadwick said the 420 4th Ave. building has been a lawyer's office since the 1870s. Paul Chadwick said the building improvements have yielded positive comments from community members about the change. He thanked the city for providing the grant program. 

“The $5,000 was a big shot in the arm,” Paul Chadwick said. “That's a big chunk of the cost. It's nice that the city does that. It shows a commitment the city has to work on the aesthetics of the downtown and the rest of Rochelle to make sure that everyone has an incentive to make their property look nice. I think everyone wants the downtown to look nice to continue to attract other people to locate here too. It's a very successful program. That's a testament to the city's efforts to work on the downtown.”

Mayor John Bearrows said the city loves seeing the investments made by local businesses to improve their storefronts. He thanked the city council for its support of the facade grant program. 

“There's been a lot of people taking advantage of the program,” Bearrows said. “We're very happy to see that. Fearer Nye & Chadwick is one of those iconic businesses that have been here the longest of anybody. It's a long-term business that we're extremely happy to support. The city council makes it possible. The great thing about this program is that it isn't limited to just the downtown. It covers the entire community.”