Before and After

On February 28th, Habitat for Humanity dedicated their most recent project, 6 Federal. This home was part of a program called Newburgh Youth Build that helped 6 students earn a GED and impart skills needed to obtain future employment in the trades. Once an abandoned shell, 6 Federal will now be 3 transitional housing units for very low-income families in need of safe, decent homes. For more pictures on the amazing progress of the project click on Habitat’s Facebook page. Or, click here or here.

To date, Habitat Newburgh has built 43 safe, decent and affordable houses in Newburgh. Over 225 children and adults now call these houses home, and the homes in the City of Newburgh’s assessed property values have increased by over $8.3 million.

©Library of Congress , May 1970

Recently the real estate listing for 201 Montgomery Street was presented a few weeks ago. Here is a glimpse at what it looked like before it’s renovation in May of 1970. This photo is titled the “Anthony House.” Just an interesting look to see what a 40 year difference can make.

Many homeowners with row homes sometimes scratch their heads trying to figure out how they should go about renovating their backyards, especially if they have been neglected a number of years. Check out this before and after post from a backyard in Newburgh’s East End that was renovated last Spring, 2010.

The original backyard had overgrown shrubs, snakes, tree stumps, “ghastly” fencing, and tons of poison ivy! This set of row houses was originally built and owned by the factory behind as housing for it’s workers.

Not only were there lots of dangerous plants and animals, but there was also all of this metal in the backyard as well. Being environmentally conscious, the home owner sent this metal out to be recycled.

Soon everything was ripped out and there was a clean slate to work with. The pole on the right might have been used for transmission of electricity or telegraphs to or from the factory.

The beginning of the blue stone patio.

The finished product. This renovation really made a huge difference, and surely the neighbors were thrilled to have new fencing as well. A pear tree was planted that you see in the far right, a blooming rose bush, and salvaged mint from the original ‘garden’.  It was growing out from the cracks on the side of the house! The bed was made with the lintels from the house that were removed when the back doors were put in. And the other huge difference is the retaining wall in the rear.

The homeowners mint and their $4 rose bush which is cheaper than a bouquet! This makeover shows that you can reuse and save items that you already have in a new way. Don’t these pictures make you long for warmer days? Thanks for sharing your makeover!

If you are a homeowner or contractor and would like to showcase your own before and after makeover that has been completed in the City of Newburgh, contact me.

This is another “Before and After” post that comes via Thruway Builders who also provided the photos. They own both 23 and 25 South Miller, but only 23 is completed. As you can see from the photo above, the building was pretty nasty. The paint was peeling, the cornice was rusty, the graffiti was horrible, and this was just a depressing eyesore on the block. The whole project just seems scary-especially because there was a tree growing in the middle of the 2 buildings! Take a look at some more photos of the damage below:

The after photos show an entirely different building! All of the brick was cleaned and restored. The cornice is now in place with out any rusted holes and the tree was removed. The interior was entirely gutted and rehabbed, so everything is new. You really come to appreciate how beautiful this home was meant to be. 23 Miller is for sale and is a fully rented property. 25 Miller has also seen some huge improvements, but the builder would like to rehab that building in a joint venture partnership.  See below for more interior shots of 23 Miller. Click on any photo to enlarge

If you are a homeowner or contractor and would like to showcase your own before and after project on Newburgh Restoration, contact me.