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Rescued home ready for buyer, interior work |
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Monday, December 01 2008 |
By TJ HEMLINGER
Staff Writer
The Adams Young Hooper House, more than 150 years old and located among the gracious older houses along North Chauncey Street that once were home to Columbia City’s elite, is undergoing restoration and soon will be offered for sale so that the buyer can finish the interior.
The exterior is nearly complete and is a handsome improvement to the brick structure. It has been painted dark red with cream trim, and workers are installing copper-toned aluminum gutters and downspouts. Work is being done by Steury’s Home Improvements of Spencerville, Decked Out of Leo, Final Touch Painting and S&S Contractors.
The interior needs to be completely redone, and People Preserving History is soliciting a buyer who will finish the inside of the house.
The house, at the southwest corner of Chauncey and Jefferson streets, could be turned into either a home or a business.
PPH is a local non-profit organization which preserves historic structures.
The completion of the exterior of the house, built in 1855, was a cooperation of the PPH and the Indiana Historic Landmarks Foundation. A community preservation specialist worked with the various contractors in their specific areas of expertise.
In addition, the landscaping, which is nearly finished, was designed by members of the Master Gardeners organization of Whitley County.
The next step in the restoration of the Hooper House is to find an owner willing and able to restore the interior. PPH will accept proposals from interested prospective buyers. Criteria for the successful bidder include previous restoration activities of the applicant, the possession of professional skills, experience working with historic preservation guidelines, the renovation plan, including a timeline, the estimated cost of the project, identification of potential contractors and the viability of financing.
When the building is sold, historic protective covenants will be placed on the property. They will be recorded against the deed and are in-perpetuity.
Also, PPH will request the new owner allow a “post-rehabilitation party” in order to gain new members.
To tour the home with contractors, interested buyers need to contact John Pontzius at 248-2185 or at
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For more information about the process or about the work already completed, contact Paul Hayden at 574-232-4534 or at
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Proposals are due to Todd Zeiger, director, Northern Regional Office, Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, 402 W. Washington St., South Bend IN 46601 by mail or by fax at 574-232-5549 by Jan. 30.
E-mail staff writer TJ Hemlinger at
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, December 02 2008 )
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