By Brett DeNeve:
Duality versus holistic. Polar opposites versus interconnected segments. As Western thinkers we tend to subconsciously compartmentalize everything into its own place, and rightfully so. I stopped by Vermont St. a few days ago and, contrary to my elementary roots, couldn’t help but start to see these two properties (lead image), 458 and 464 respectively, as two different branches of the same oak. Although the focus is wider, consider this somewhat of a follow-up on the article done back in March of 2012 concerning the former of the two, 458 viewable here*, with a more detailed follow-up on 458 specifically to come in the near future.
Owned by Michael Maywalt, of Maywalt Realty Group on Amherst St., 464 Vermont St. is currently going through the paces of being renovated into what sounds like the makings of a stable and reasonable place to live.
Sawdust was in the air as I walked through the front door: it was a little tight to my left, the drywall was sanded and molding in place for a small desk space or mudroom, to my right the place opened right up, relieving what little sensations of claustrophobia that began to creep up.
The second half of the room, getting towards the kitchen area as I followed it back, held a shelving unit in the left corner; remnants of a fireplace left both Maywalt and myself wishing full restoration was in the budget. “I do what I can do. We’re going to make the best of this place as best we can,” said Maywalt.
We made our way through the kitchen and out of the side entrance, veering left into the back yard. Weeds had grown out of control, there was garbage to be picked up; it was clear this house had not been in use for quite some time. “We have a lot of work to do on this house, but it’ll be worth it,” Maywalt said.
It really is all about perspective; you can choose to look at the work you need to do or you can look at the work you could never get done and get lost in it, you could look at the ground or you could look at the sky. For Maywalt and for many other people that want this city totally rid of houses that sat just like 464, un-used and underappreciated, this choice of view is a combination of both earth and sky.
*458 is on the left in lead image, and 464 is on the right, next to the brick building. When realtor Dave Weitzel first purchased 458, one of his concerns was the state of the 464. A year and a half later and those concerns are being addressed with this latest development. Up next we’ll take a broader look at the neighborhood, and the building blocks that are coming together to fix up a neighborhood that until fairly recently was partially boarded up. Today Vermont Street only has one boarded up house, and even that looks as if there might be good news around the corner. Stay tuned for more developments in and around this neighborhood.