ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMOX) — In the middle of a row of new homes in North St. Louis, one sits boarded up. Bricks falling off. Walls bowing.

One group still thinks it’s worth saving.

“The old buildings of the neighborhood create a sense of place. You know you’re in old North St. Louis versus generic anywhere.”

Matt Fernandez is Community Development Specialist for the Old North St. Louis Restoration Group.

With it’s mansard roof and two dormers, brick cornice, arched windows and inlaid terra cotta tile, Fernandez says the three-story, 4,000 square foot home at 1316 North Market is a great example of the masonry work found around St. Louis. “It’s unfortunately fallen on hard times over the last twenty years or so. It’s been vacant. Water damaged. Not looked after.” He says it’s cheaper to rehab the late 1880′s property than to raze and recreate it. But because of its condition — parts of the interior framing are collapsed and other portions rotting — the group has launched a “brickstarter” campaign to stabilize the structure. Fernandez says they’re hoping for five-thousand to 50-thousand dollars. Then the group will work to get financing in place for a gut rehab that could cost between $400,000 and $500,000.

Fernandez says historic tax credits should keep the cost of the property reasonable when it’s ready for residents.

http://brickstarterstl.com

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