BlackHouse on Bigelow

Remember back in February of last year when I spilled the beans that I had bought a house and saved a bed… not just any bed, an original Murphy Bed, well… we’re finally getting started and, in the process, discovered that this project is so much more than a bed, and even bigger than saving the house itself.

To back up a bit, in March of 2022 I responded to a RFP request for proposal sent out by the Peoria City Land Bank for a house that was slated for demolition. I had almost no plan at all other than a heart that this 1910 home, sitting in Peoria’s oldest historic district had to be saved.

I took what I had, and did what I could.

I offered a whopping $7 for the house knowing that I would be lucky to break even after rehabilitating it and acquiring a COO certificate of occupancy, which was a term of my deed. I saved the house that just about everyone told me to pass on, and everyone else didn’t get why this was this hill I was so adamant to die on. What is even crazier is that at the time I didn’t have much more than $7 to put towards saving it. My goal, and genius idea was the City of Peoria would create a revolving fund for those like me who had been called to saving houses but that didn’t fit a traditional and profitable financial model.

Saving single family homes in a meaningful way is a hard business.

Whether is was because no one else responded, or they were simply lucky to get this property back on the tax role, my proposal won and I wrote a big check for $7 to the city and was sent on my way without the creation of a revolving fund… embarking on arguably the most challenging 18 months of my career.

For almost a year and a half I knocked on every door I could seeking local partners in this grand endeavor. Municipalities, private companies, and individuals and I was told time and time again that is didn’t make financial sense. That part, I already knew. But what I also knew, and what remains as truth is that it makes sense in every way but financial. And sometimes the most meaningful work requires breaking a system that isn’t serving the community for its good.

To be transparent, I am a single working mom with a very new business that on good days keeps the lights on. I am in no way a real estate investor if I was this would absolutely not be the house I’d choose. I have poured all of my financial resources pulling from my own homes’ equity, and leveraged every strategic relationship I have, and harnessed its power to shed light on this, but…

I cannot do this alone.

Maintaining and rehabilitating Peoria’s built infrastructure was always the goal. This midwest community that is filled to the brim with cheap old houses is also one riddled with blight and currently grossly underprepared to care for them. BlackHouse Seven is committed to work that allows for diversity and inclusion of participants; those old home stewards rehabilitating, trades & contractors, and for those that would ultimately purchase these homes.

While the harsh truth is that I cannot do this alone, I believe that I was never intended to. Learning from the process, that thing I preach over and over as what should be celebrated was the goal. What comes out of creative thinking and collaboration, and mechanisms to solve the fiscal challenges and roadblocks of the system that is in place.

I have made a commitment to saving this old house, and sharing its rehabilitation journey with you. Hear from us throughout this journey as we uncover how Ms. Mellie Freeman built this house as a single woman in 1910, what? Become a part of the force that brings back this home that neighbors saw as a nuisance and eye sore into a beautiful and sound old house, sold affordably, with the proceeds rolling into saving the next old house.

Using the instrument of historic rehabilitation to change a community in ways unimaginable.

I am excited to say that there will be documentation of much of this rehab shared in summer 2024 and this work will be shared with the masses. But, the fate of the outcome hangs in the balance.

If you feel led to be a part of something much greater than us individually and embark on a journey to uncover just how meaningful saving an old house can be please use the link below to choose your level of sponsorship towards BlackHouse on Bigelow. Each contribution will receive our signature BlackHouse candle, which has long represented the powerful yet tempered energy required to bring forth a new vision.

As part of our newsletter you’ll get weekly updates on the progress we’ve made and obstacles we’ve overcome. You will also have access to never before seen transformations and industry recommendations for some of our most challenging hurdles. It is my belief that when something, long deemed impossible…

is done together

the lessons learned & the impact made creates the ability to transcend our wildest dreams…

I hope to see you there!