Renovating storefront could stimulate Old Town revival

A child walks past the Homer Cavitte property after school one day last week. The building is targeted for renovation by the Old Town Revitalization Company.
A child walks past the Homer Cavitte property after school one day last week. The building is targeted for renovation by the Old Town Revitalization Company.

Renovating one building can have a ripple effect across a neighborhood.

River City Habitat for Humanity has seen that first-hand. And the Old Town Revitalization Company is looking to replicate that impact - first in the 800 block of Clark Avenue.

On behalf of the company, the city acquired the former Homer Cavitte property, 1015 E. Atchison St., at the northwest corner of Clark Avenue and Atchison Street. The Housing Authority then pitched in to execute grants to cover exterior stabilization and weatherization.

"We look to this as an anchor," company chairman Phil Freeman said.