Conklin: $800K secured to continue rehabilitating Philipsburg’s historic James Stott Building
Will help fund project’s second phase to create affordable housing and commercial space
Rep. Scott Conklin April 17, 2025 | 9:24 AM
PHILIPSBURG, April 16 – Major rehabilitation work will continue on a historic downtown Philipsburg building thanks to new state funding of $800,000, state Rep. Scott Conklin announced today.
Conklin, D-Centre, said the new funding from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency will help support the second phase of work to transform the James Stott Building into residential and commercial space.
“Work is already underway on the first phase of construction, which involves creating six apartments,” Conklin said. “The new funding will build on that progress by supporting work to rehabilitate a first-floor commercial space and convert the building’s rear, third-floor garage into four affordable housing units.
“Ultimately, the building will offer 14 new residential units, including eight affordable housing units, plus ground-floor commercial space. It’s wonderful when we can repurpose the landscape so buildings that started life serving the community in one way come back to life to serving residents and businesses in new, equally productive ways.”
The 106-year-old, three-story James Stott Building was originally a Packard dealership and later the headquarters for the Stott Coal Company. Most recently, the front portion was used for office and commercial space, with garage space occupying the back half of the building. It was acquired in January 2023 and is now undergoing the first of three phases of rehabilitation.
Funding for the project was made available through the PHFA’s Commonwealth Revitalization Fund Program via the Commonwealth’s Mixed-Use Development Tax Credit.