Write a commentA coalition of neighbors have joined together and bought 54 West 5th Street (the former Phi Lamda Phi Sorority House) in the Franklin Square/Montcalm Park Historic Districts of Oswego, NY. Three principal investors, Connie Ross, Mark Tesoriero and Steven Phillips formed the Westside Neighbors, L.L.C. and have put up more than half of the funds necessary to purchase the property.
Several neighbors and supporters have also loaned funds in amounts ranging from $2,500.00 to $10,000.00. That list includes Andrea Ross, Cindy and Tim Pauldine , Mark and Lisa DuFore , Tom and Dianne Restuccio, Fran and Dianne Enwright, Eric Enwright , Andy and Jodie Docus , Graham and Susan Bradley, June and Phil MacArthur, Tanya Miller, Mike Harter, Jennifer Banta, Brian Kleifbeck, and Jay and Kathy Scanlon. Tom and Karen Reynolds generously donated the costs of all legal services required to form the L.L.C. and purchase the property.
Tom Stultz and Connie Ross will be the lead designers and will work with an architect and a contractor to transform the dwelling into a 5 bedroom, 3 full and 1 half bath single family home with an attached 2 car garage with both modern updates and historic charm. The parking lot will be removed and the house will enjoy a large double lot with lots of new Green Space.
Tom Schneider, President of Pathfinder Bank, attended a neighborhood meeting held to discuss the project and he explained that the Pathfinder Bank was willing to provide construction funding for the renovation and would assist in any way possible to make this neighborhood project first a reality and then a success. This is another example of the many ways Pathfinder Bank continues to show it is truly a local bank with an interest in supporting the local community.
Westside Neighbors, LLC and the concerned neighbors who support it recognized that the use of 54 W. 5th Street as a sorority, and it's sad decline into disrepair, was a blight in the middle of a Historic District of single family homes lovingly maintained by their owner-occupants. It's renovation and reconversion to a single family home will increase the quality of life of the neighborhood as well as their property values. The neighborhood group hopes that this project will spark similar grass roots projects in neighborhoods throughout the city resulting in a greater sense of community spirit and a similar improvement of the quality of life and property values.
The group's goal is to stay within the established budget and sell the renovated home at the break-even cost including the carrying costs so that it can again be used and enjoyed as a single family home in an established neighborhood of historic and well maintained single family homes.
Hats off to all those involved. It is not too late to get involved. If you would like to be involved and loan the L.L.C. any funds, donate services and/or materials please contact Connie Ross at conellross@gmail.com or by calling her at 315/342-3686.
