Historic East Durham Neighborhood Primed for Preservation

April 17 cleanup will prep homes for future renovations and for an upcoming tour to showcase East Durham's potential as an affordable, family-friendly neighborhood.
 
April 7, 2010 - PRLog -- Volunteers wielding rakes, hammers and cleaning supplies will help spruce up properties in an urban Durham neighborhood to ready the historic homes for resale by Preservation North Carolina and Preservation Durham.

The cleanup is in support of Project Revitalize East Durham (Project RED), a collaboration between preservationists and community groups in the Angier Avenue/Driver Street section of East Durham. The organizations are working to acquire and protect distressed, vacant houses and resell them at prices affordable for working families.

On Saturday, April 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., volunteers will clear out and clean up homes and lots at 212 S. Driver St. and 309 N. Driver St. to prepare them for rehabilitation. The following day, Sunday, April 18, an open house from 2–4 p.m. will showcase houses in the East Durham Historic District.

Despite some deterioration, many of the houses are solidly constructed and retain original historic elements, such as divided-light windows, Gothic or Craftsman architectural details, and wood floors, according to Cathleen Turner, director of Preservation NC’s Piedmont Region. The neighborhood is convenient to work sites such as Duke University and the Research Triangle Park, as well as to the many amenities of downtown Durham.

Project RED was initiated to call attention to the historic neighborhood, a valuable urban housing resource that has been threatened by vacant, uninhabitable or substandard property conditions, high crime and low levels of owner-occupancy. PNC and PD have sought to acquire homes strategically to help increase neighborhood stability. The nonprofit organizations will renovate some of the vacant homes to help demonstrate the area’s potential for affordable housing in an attractive, convenient and livable urban neighborhood.

Volunteers are still needed for the April 17 clean up!  All levels of skill are needed for tasks such as trash pickup, yard work, removal of aluminum siding, minor repairs, etc.  Please contact Renee Elder at Preservation NC if you or your group would like to volunteer for the project: 919-832-3652 or send an e-mail to relder@presnc.org.

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Preservation North Carolina protects and promotes historic buildings and sites reflecting the state's diverse heritage. As a nonprofit, we provide educational outreach, a comprehensive website, and direct action through our Endangered Properties Program.
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