Recently, the newly renovated “Declaration House” celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of the new building. Jemson Cabinetry played a role in helping to bring the project to life, by donating a portion of the cost of the kitchen cabinets, hardware, and countertops for the apartments in the building. The community raised over $3.5 million to renovate the building and excavate the grounds. The building was transformed into a mixed-use office/retail space and medical/dental/behavioral health services on the first floor, and ten affordable apartments on the upper two floors.
In a video interview with Rod Redcay, Executive Director Real Life Services, he states, “We want to provide ten apartments with kitchens and bathrooms that families can afford.” Jemson Cabinetry was invited to be part of the project and provided the materials to complete the apartments. David Palm, Owner, and President of Jemson Cabinetry comments, “We have a long history of helping the community wherever we can. The renovation of the Denver House is a unique opportunity to help many families with affordable housing in a beautiful, new building.”
In the center of town in Denver on Main Street is an iconic building known as the “Denver House” built in 1864 that served for over 150 years as a welcoming place for food and a clean place to stay. Over the past several years, the property had become blighted, to the point of condemnation, and a public nuisance with many a police call, making it an economic drag, detracting from and hindering further downtown development.
In October of 2016, in cooperation with Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership, REAL Life Community Services purchased the building formerly known as the “Denver House.” The vision was to renovate the building to provide affordable apartments and offer a community service “Hub.” Welsh Mountain Health Centers is opening the Denver Community Health Center to offer medical, dental services, and behavioral health counseling. The community is excited about the project and how it will be a catalyst for further development of the downtown.
Sources:
Real Life Community Services Video:
LHOP: Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership
https://www.lhop.org/build-lhift/projects/the-denver-house/h
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2 mins