Summary: The community will have the opportunity to see firsthand how small revitalization efforts can have a big impact on a neighborhood when Howey Houses LLC hosts a community open house on May 1 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
For the past 18 months local residents have heard the unmistakable sounds of hammers and saws breathing new life into a neighborhood on North Buckeye Street in need of some tender loving care.
The community will have the opportunity to see the results of those efforts when Howey Houses LLC holds a community open house to showcase the stunning transformations of the Howey Houses homes at 546 and 438 North Buckeye Street and the Habitat For Humanity home across the street on May 1 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
The effort to revitalize the downtown neighborhood in the 400 and 500 blocks of North Buckeye Street began in 2009 when a group of community members lead by Main Street Wooster formed Howey Houses LLC.
According to Main Street Wooster Executive Director Sandra Hull, with $400,000 in no-interest loans from a consortium of local banks backed by guarantees from several local foundations, private individuals and organizations, Howey Houses purchased three homes in the neighborhood and set about the daunting task of transforming nearly 100 year old houses into modern homes using local contractors, volunteer expertise and assistance from the City of Wooster.
While the group ultimately discovered that one of the houses was too badly deteriorated to restore, the group began restoration efforts on the homes at 546 and 438 North Buckeye.
The first home to be fully restored as part of the Howey Houses pilot project was the 1914 era home at 546 North Buckeye.
According to Hull, the construction crews that worked on the 2,300 square foot home carefully preserved the architectural details that make the home so special including the stunning original wood floors, molding, china hutch and window seat. At the same time the dated kitchen and bathrooms were replaced with modern ones and the homes dated HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems and roof have all been replaced.
The result is what Hull describes as a 2010 home inside of a 1914 classic.
The 546 North Buckeye home is now ready to welcome new owners.
According to Hull, as is the case with so much of the work undertaken on the Howey Houses homes, local realtor Jim Hand of Remax has stepped forward to volunteer his services to act as the listing agent for the property.
Remax is doing this with expectations of no sellers commission, said Hull adding they are doing this because they believe in the project.
A second home in the Howey Houses project will also be included in community open house.
Though Howey Houses already has a buyer for the 1890s era, 3400 square foot house located at 438 North Buckeye, the community will have the opportunity to see the incredible transformation underway at the 100 plus year old home.
Hull is gratified to see Howey Houses efforts spread throughout the neighborhood.
That spirit of renewal can be seen in the third home included in the open house, the restoration of which is being undertaken by Habitat For Humanity on a home located across the street from the Howey Houses homes.
Other revitalization efforts are taking part in the neighborhood as well.
Weve seen neighbors and people who own properties on the street revitalizing their own properties, said Hull.
To see photos of the transformation of the Habitat home and learn more about the work being done by Habitat For Humanity visit the organizations web site at www.waynehabitat.org.
To learn more about the Howey Houses home located at 546 North Buckeye Street property and to take a virtual tour of the home log on to jimhand.remax.com.
Information on Howey Houses LLC can be found on the Main Street Wooster web site at www.mainstreetwooster.org.
