Students Renovate Abandoned Property Into High Energy Efficient Homes In Nicetown
by Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Instead of a ground-breaking, there was a "door-breaking" Tuesday for a home in Nicetown that's about to get a radical renovation.
The house across from Wayne Junction is a wreck - broken windows, ripped shingles, drooping trim. But Devon Goodwin sees potential.
"I see remodeling, breaking stuff down, putting back up, putting new stuff in, making it look good," said Goodwin.
Goodwin was among the students from Youth Build, an alternative high school diploma program swinging the sledgehammer to mark the beginning of work to turn the abandoned property into two high energy efficiency homes, and help revitalize Nicetown.
Working with city and community leaders, the students hone skills they've learned in Youth Build and Nicetown Community Development Corporation trades blight for housing for first-time homebuyers.
President Zakariyya Abdur-Rahman cheered the project.
"It's about bring the dream - putting the nice back into Nicetown," said Abdur-Rahman.
A win, win, win in Nicetown - an abandoned house restored, made highly energy efficient, by students honing job skills.
