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Homeless people volunteer to clean up fire-damaged apartment building in Fredericksburg Date published: 11/3/2008
BY AMY FLOWERS UMBLE In 2003, Hurricane Isabel ripped through the Fredericksburg-area, leaving many powerless. In the aftermath, a candle started a fire in a downtown apartment building, completely gutting the interior and leaving 22 people homeless. Five years later, the building still stands vacant--considered an eyesore by the neighbors, a blight by some city officials and a historic treasure by Fredericksburg's Architectural Review Board. The owner wants to sell the property and have the building divided into condos--he first suggested 12, then five and, finally, four. Neighbors don't want the building to return to apartments, which they equate with drugs, cursing and drinking. The building's original permits are no longer valid, and the area is zoned only for single occupancy. Last month, owner Al Sharp agreed to make cosmetic repairs while he and the city wrangle over how the structure will be used. That's when the Rev. Larry Haun stepped in. The pastor of Fredericksburg Baptist Church offered some volunteers from Micah Ecumenical Ministries, a faith-based group working with the area's homeless. "I thought, well, shoot, we can come over here and make it look nicer," Haun said. Micah recently launched a new program called Giving Back, where people who use the group's day center can earn points by volunteering around the center. Points earn them privileges such as bus passes, laundry and nights in a hotel. When Micah's church and community liaison Sarah Bush created Giving Back, she didn't envision a project like fixing up 1200 Prince Edward St. But it fit well with the program's purpose. "The whole idea was just to allow them to be a part of something, and to empower them, which is what Micah is all about," Bush said. And several guys jumped right on the project. They've been working on the house since last Monday. "We said, 'You want to do a project?'" Haun said. "And they didn't say, 'How much?' or 'Why?' They just said, 'Yeah, let's do it.'" For Tim, a 26-year old homeless man who didn't want to give his last name, the point of the project was immediately obvious. Growing up in Fredericksburg, he learned early on to appreciate historic properties. He said it pains him to see them torn down, so he wanted to prevent one from being destroyed.
Date published: 11/3/2008
I lived in the neighborhood when it burned down. It was sad,
but I never doubted that they would resurrect it. The neighbors
need to realize that not everyone has the means to own a
single-family dwelling downtown. The diverse array of dwellings
in downtown give the area character.
Others shouldn't have to pick up the slack because he's been neglectful of his property for 5 yrs.
The owner should give these homeless workers 50% of whatever profit he makes off the building. That would be fair, and the Christian thing to do. Let's see if he "gives back".
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