916 Kentucky Street

Preservation in Progress (PIP) is rarely fast; sometimes it can be really slow! LPA has been watching the whole-house rehabilitation at 916 Kentucky for several years, and we are delighted to now recognize this deserving project on the western edge of downtown. 

Longtime LPA member and local landlord James Dunn, who lives just a few doors down at 936 Kentucky, has owned this property since 1978. He was in the initial phases of an exterior rehab when a fire started by a tenant’s cigarette damaged the distinctive stacked front porches facing Kentucky Street. There was no damage to the interior of the structure, but it did put into perspective just how much James wanted to accomplish with the rehab.

James began working with Ryan Cecil of Cecil Construction, a business relationship that is still ongoing. Cecil has employed a steady, small crew and has used mechanical lifts and scaffolding to access this large rental property. As Cecil has moved from task to task, he has increased his knowledge and capabilities with particular aspects of the job, such as window restoration.

The slow pace of the work has been due to the logistics of building occupancy (when tenants have left, the contractor has rehabbed the vacated area before new tenants move in), and the fact that Cecil has other clients with projects to complete as well.

Foundation waterproofing, front porch rebuild, chimney rebuilds, stain glass repair, window restoration and copper guttering are all evident in this rehab. It’s not done yet but LPA has seen enough to know it’s a PIP winner.