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Pittsfield Sells Rehabilitated Westside PropertyStaff reports - November 19, 2007
 | | With a little help from the community, 36 South John Street has been completely renovated from the eyesore it once was. |
PITTSFIELD – A local resident has purchased a recently renovated Westside neighborhood home with plans to create a new community resource for foster children.
Sylvester Josephs purchased the duplex from the city for $175,177. He said he plans to create a group home for foster children.
The home, located at 36-38 South John St., was rehabilitated using a U.S. Department of Housing block grant that totaled $250,000. The city took over the building when it was abandoned by its landlord and restored the blighted property.
"Not only is this an example of how the community can come together on a project to improve our neighborhoods, but with Mr. Josephs' plan, it will improve the lives of many of our less fortunate children," said Mayor James M. Ruberto in a statement.
"I am so overwhelmed and so excited with my new home," said Josephs in a press release. He is a first-time homebuyer and a supervisor at Cranwell Resort. Josephs currently has one foster child in his care. "I can't wait to move everything in and get everything ready to start the group home."
With help from students in Taconic High School's vocational/technical programs, the renovated home contains two units for housing; each side has 1,824 square feet of living space, four bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a modern, energy-efficient hot water baseboard heating system.
This is the latest addition to the Westside Rehabilitation Initiative, which includes the renovation of 264 Bradford St., the planting of trees, sidewalk repairs, vacant house demolitions, and increased code enforcement by the city’s Health, Fire and Building Inspectors departments.
The house was completed in August and bids on the property were accepted until Oct. 1. The minimum bid was $150,000. |
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