By MIKE KRAFCIK
6 News Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) - Work is underway to restore a home in the Fourth and Gill neighborhood.
For years the blighted property had been one of the ten most problematic on the city list. The property had been abandoned and suffered fire damage.
The home was purchased from the city and the new owners are in the process of fixing it up.
"I mean, you look at it, and you think they should either take it down or fix it," said Joan Lind, a Fourth and Gill resident.
Fixing it is exactly the plan for 611 Gill Avenue. For months, Jonathan and Cheryl Ball have been working to restore the home after purchasing it in March. The first phase is tearing up walls and gutting much of the inside.
"It's been a complete, total gut restoration for the house," said Jonathan Ball.
Plans are to turn the former duplex into a single family home.
"I think this house is going to be great for a new family," said Cheryl Ball.
The Balls are also working with another couple on the restoration. Jessica and Bentley Brackett are also owners of the home.
The Balls said fixing up the home on 611 Gill Avenue would mean a lot for the Fourth and Gill neighborhood.
"We really love to restore homes, and we really want to see this house to become a vibrant part of the neighborhood," said Cheryl Ball.
The owners purchased the home through the City of Knoxville's Homemaker Program, a program where the city sells blighted properties to people in hopes of fixing them up.
"Their structure they have in place to revitalize vacant properties is really what saved this house," said Cheryl Ball.
The home was built in 1907 and does have to be rebuilt according to historical guidelines. Plans also call for LEED certification.
"We're trying to put the house together that compliments the neighborhood, that is also an efficient, desirable house," said Jonathan Ball.
Residents are excited about the possibilities of the rehabbed home.
"Driving in down this road it's the first thing you see, and it would great to have it looking well," said Lind.
The target date for completion is expected to be between six to eight months. The project has to be finished within one year from the start date, according to Homemaker's program guidelines.
For more information and to follow the renovations go here: http://611gill.wordpress.com/.
The property had been abandoned and suffered fire damage.
Plans are to turn the former duplex into a single family home.
