“Great Unveiling” – An idea for Neighborhood Preservation?

Rock Island - Broadway Historic District - Great Unveiling

On a couple occasions I’d mentioned different activities whereby neighbors, hopefully with the support of the city might undertake a project on some property within the neighborhood. Such projects would be a benefit not just for the property owner but for the street, the neighborhood as a whole and our own individual property values. There’s something in it for me/us too. The response I’ve gotten typically is shaking of heads or ‘can’t be done’ sorts of concerns expressed. If it weren’t for the fact that I know that other communities have already worked out what ever barriers get in the way and have been doing this for years I’d probably let it go. However, I’ve already seen it, touched it and experienced it. It’s do-able. And it makes a positive impact on the neighborhood.

Broadway Historic District - Great Unveiling

One such example is called “The Great Unveiling” whereby unoriginal substitute siding is removed from a candidate home by a team of volunteers, the refuse is sorted and either recycled or carted away and the homeowners left with a check to help defray some of the cost of fixing/restoring the newly revealed original siding. It may sound bazaar if you’ve never heard of such a thing but check out what the Broadway Historic District in Rock Island Illinois, just down the river has been doing for over fifteen years. You’ll see their ‘Tips for…” at the page bottom. Theve got nine pages of before/after pics but they’re not identified which are results from ‘Unveilings’ which are from homeowners themselves.

Elgin - Gifford Park Association - Great Unveiling

The Gifford Park Association in Elgin Illinois presents their program here. The GPA has before/after pics here.