A Roanoke neighborhood is getting a little beautification with its history to help it along.
The Belmont neighborhood of Southeast could be the next success story for revitalization, thanks in part to the National Park Service.
“It’s like it has bad juju, sort of,” said Isabel Thornton in front of an old, white home in the Belmont neighborhood. “Like I want to come in and sage it.”
She said 236 Dale Avenue has seen better days.
“It’s not terribly scary, so yeah – come on in!” she said.
Thornton’s non-profit, Restoration Housing, now holds the key to this house, and all the challenges within.
“Oh my goodness,” said Thornton peering down at a mouse lounging on the porch. “A mouse is nothing!”
Built in 1890 it was once the home of one of Roanoke’s earliest mayors. Restoration Housing took ownership of the home in August after a supporter of the non-profit donated it to them.
“It really would’ve been a grand impressive home in its heyday,” Thornton said.
The neighborhood was likely also impressive at one point. But now this neighborhood and this home have fallen into a bit of disrepair.
“The living conditions were quite devastating and that’s really upsetting in its own way too.”
That’s why the city commissioned work to see if the federal government would place the Belmont neighborhood on the National Register of Historic Places.
The work was begun in 1997.
“There’s usually an architectural description,” explained Katie Gustshall, a Historic Preservation Planner with Hill Studio in downtown Roanoke. “We do a site plan and we take exterior photos of the houses.”
Hill Studio put together the proposal, after studying more than 700 properties.
“So yeah, countless hours!” Gutshall laughed.
The approval is likely to come later this month.
Which means Thornton’s group will have access to thousands of dollars in historic tax credits.
It’s a process seen throughout Roanoke, most notably and successfully, according to Gutshall in the Wasena neighborhood.
Thornton will need every penny of the tax credits to be the first on the block to make a change. It’s one both women say could make a huge difference in bringing this neighborhood back to its glory days.
“I can visualize the outcome,” Thornton said, “and it’s exciting to think of what it could be and what it will be if all goes according to plan.”
If it goes according to plan, Thornton’s non-profit will restore the four apartments inside. She will also use one apartment to create an office for a counselor to work, offering the residents services ranging from substance abuse help to financial planning. This, she said, to help keep them from being homeless.
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Published December 3, 2018 on WDBJ7 by Leanna Scachetti.
