Rehabarama 2007

Now past the halfway point, thousands of visitors have descended upon South Park since last week to see the Rehabarama show houses. Many have already returned with their friends for a second viewing. These amazing homes have been professionally decorated by some of Dayton’s most talented interior design firms. The renovated homes range from 900 sqf. to 3,400 sqf., each with unique architecture and design which make for a very interesting show.

An astonishing number of volunteers were needed for this 10-day event is many. South Park neighbor, Maureen Heacock, called upon neighbors and friends to step up, help man the houses and greet our guests as they visit each home on tour. Many volunteers have expressed enjoyment as they reintroduce themselves to new and old faces of the neighborhood. We also make new friends as outside volunteers, who have taken time out of their busy schedules, to help us out on the tour.

We've also seen so many great people who visit from near and far that want to see what's going on down here in South Park. Along with new and old neighbors of South Park, we meet people who are friends of neighbors, urbanites from other Dayton neighborhoods, historic districts or cities, curious suburbanites, old residents who once called South Park home and even people who also once called the rehabbed house home, and of course people who are interested in becoming new South Park neighbors.

So come out to this free event and walk the ten houses on tour by Full Circle Development and The Home Group. We have a house that shows off a neighbor's artistic creation in a staircase hand railing, houses that show of a neighbor's design in kitchens and every house includes a house history by a neighborhood resident house historian. There are just a few days left, today and tomorrow 4–8pm, and this Saturday and Sunday, 12–8pm. Or for more information, follow this link. We hope to see you.

Comments

[Theresa Gasper]

OK, so I'm one of the investors behind South Park and risk the accusation of the shameless promotion of the event. I have to say what I have enjoyed most is how many people have come through the houses with stories of living there at some point.

The decorators have done a phenomenal job. Each house started with its own unique personality & flair, but the DSID members have done a great job of emphasizing those characteristics.

The comment I love hearing in some of the houses is "oh good, it's not builder beige". There truly is something for everyone. You don't have to love historic homes or crave urban living to appreciate the design ideas. Some of the houses are modern & contemporary, some are very traditional, we have a retro look and a few very colorful houses as well.

Most of all, I'm blown away by the people of South Park. The neighbors are so passionate about their neighborhood and are so willing to invest hours and hours into hosting the various homes. They realize it's about supporting their investment as well as ours.

There is a real story happening here in South Park. It's about neighborhood involvement & dedication, a sense of community and a very diverse housing stock which leads to a very diverse community.

Stop looking for the Creative Class elsewhere, it's alive & well in South Park and Dayton's other historic districts.

[Bill Pote]

Kevin, thanks so much for the Rehabarama update (I told Maureen and Theresa I'd write something up but you beat me to it :) )

Shannon and I volunteered last Saturday at 208 Bonner. In two hours we had almost 200 people walk through, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. It was also amazing how many people on the tour were actually past residents of the neighborhood - to see their reactions was very inspiring.

I hope that Theresa and Michael are able to sell all of their rehabbed homes to people who have taken the tour. Even if they don't all sell now, I have little doubt that they will soon. The wide array of sizes and price points ($120k - $260k+) are key to maintaining a truly diverse and urban neighborhood.

I know this phrase is getting a little worn out, but.... WAY TO GO SOUTH PARK!!!