107 Polk Street, an architectural landmark in Downtown Cumberland, is stepping into a new era. Using the Allegany County Economic and Community Development (ACECD) Invest Allegany grant, the former Junior Masonic Lodge has undergone a transformative refurbishment, creating five modern, market-rate apartments. This construction is part of a strategic effort to revitalize vacant and underused properties in Allegany County. 

Hunter Abell is a third-generation contractor and President of his family’s construction business, Jack Abell, Inc. The firm has a long history in Cumberland, Maryland, where it was established in 1978. Originally purchased as a personal property, Abell bought the building in 2005 and saved funds to renovate it to its former glory.

In 2023, Abell first heard of the Invest Allegany grant program that could help advance his project forward. “In my day job as a general contractor, I started to see estimate requests from customers who were applying for the Invest Allegany grant,” Abell explains. “Of course, that caught my interest. I started to do a little research and, after learning more about it, thought, ‘This sounds perfect for my project.’” Abell connected with the team at ACECD.

Created to bolster the redevelopment of vacant or underutilized buildings in Allegany County’s downtowns and Main Street areas, the Invest Allegany grant program has provided capital to many successful housing- and business-focused projects in Cumberland, such as the Rosenbaum building, McMullen building, N Mechanic Street property, and Ottaviani’s restaurant expansion.  

Adam Strott, Economic Development Specialist with the ACECD, shares, “The Polk Street project is a great opportunity to bring nice, larger apartment spaces to Downtown Cumberland. We knew that Hunter would use his experience as a contractor and deep understanding of Cumberland to make this renovation something that would excite the community and provide crucial housing opportunities.”

In the Summer of 2023, Hunter secured $44,000 in Invest Allegany funds, marking a significant milestone in the Polk Street project. “The review process was quick, and the funds were distributed with no problems,” he adds.

Renovations to the first- and second-story apartments began shortly after the grant was secured. Calling on the expertise of the family business, the Jack Abell, Inc. team renovated three three-bedroom units, a two-bedroom unit, and a one-bedroom unit. Over an eight-month period, updates to the building’s plumbing, electrical, kitchen cabinetry, flooring, and drywall, as well as the replacement of its forty windows, took place. 

“The volume of the project was challenging,” says Abell. “The sheer size of the building made it easy for a single aspect to become expensive, which is where the extra funding helped get us past the finish line.” 

Renovations to the 7,200-square-foot building were completed in March 2024. “We're excited to be part of the revitalization in Downtown Cumberland,” shares Abell. 

As the county continues to address housing shortages, projects like the Polk Street renovation help to move the needle. “Once the project was complete, I stood back from it and recognized how proud I am of the work that we did. This property has put five apartment units back available for rent, potentially housing seventeen to eighteen people,” Abell remarked.

“Hopefully, what we've done with this renovation is give some people a nice, new, clean, and secure place to live,” Abell finishes. 

In the future, Abell hopes to transform the building’s large, open third floor into a community meeting room, art studio, or gallery. The space, which features a stage previously used for masonic meetings, will add to the resident’s and community’s value of life.

“The improvements to the Cumberland Mall, both public and private, have been pretty transformative,” said Abell. Cumberland's future is bright, and I’m happy to be a part of the charge.”

Read more Invest Allegany success stories.