It's off the beaten path, tucked in behind auto row on Syracuse's near-west side.

But, soon, homeowners could be beating a new path straight to, and through, this neighborhood of 100-year old homes. 

A new marketing campaign effort, and cash from Washington, could bring a renaissance to the run-down.

Shawn Fiato is focusing on turn of the century homes along Park Avenue.

“These homes, there's nothing like them. The interior of these homes, they're so beautiful. People want to live in the city. I believe it. People who come into my house, they say, oh my God, Shawn, this house is so fantastic, it's so great.”

Even if she does say so herself. Shawn’s lived there 20 years and says it's finally time for the tide to turn in a once-great neighborhood. And she's not alone.

Park Avenue homeowner Jeff Romano says, “It's a great neighborhood, I love this area. I grew up on Tipp Hill. Tipp Hill's already well over, so I said why I don't I take a stake down here, and try and create something better, try and bring it up to where it can be.”

The federal government buys the idea, and will funnel $2.5 million into the neighborhood through the home headquarters marketing campaign agency.

$5,000 for curb appeal grants to fix up home exteriors, $10,000 low-interest loans for interior work, and for first-time homebuyers, thousands are available for closing costs.

“A lot of people remodel the inside of their houses to make it beautiful. Well, take a step forward. Take five thousand dollars of free money and do something beautiful to the outside of your home as well, to make the neighborhood feel better and look better, as well,” Romano says.

Job one for Jeff's curb appeal grant: A new sidewalk. Job two: his roof needs a lot of work. Other homes need even more, but the picture's looking better and a best-kept secret is getting out:

Shawn Fiato says, “I want them to know it is going to happen. Come on down to Park Ave and live.”

They’ll make that pitch directly later this month at a city living event at Corcoran High School.

For contact information on the Park Avenue Project and more on the Syracuse Neighborhood