Fitzwater St. homes to be renovated

 

SALISBURY, Md. — Salisbury’s rowhouses on Fitzwater Street are getting a major renovation in a project that Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Services calls Westport. The homes are set to be renovated and turned into modern, move-in-ready residences.

The homes were built more than a century ago. Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Services has been working on acquiring the historic homes for the past two years, according to Executive Director Cheryl Meadows.

“When you can get nine that are adjoined, it really makes a huge impact on the street, and I think it gives a lot of confidence to the neighborhood that good things are happening,” Meadows said.

Officials say the project supports Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Services’ broader mission of strengthening neighborhoods and providing more affordable, sustainable housing.

“It’s an opportunity to really restore them to their original state, with plenty of documentable evidence to support that,” Salisbury Mayor Randy Taylor said. “Hopefully, a number of homeowners will move in and live here. These are nice-sized homes, and they’re beautiful inside.”

The city plans to preserve as much of the homes’ history as possible while incorporating energy-efficient upgrades.

“We have to move forward. There has to be revitalization and renovations in our city. And what better place to start than here?” said Salisbury City Council member April Jackson.

SNHS plans to offer homebuyer education and counseling services for interested first-time homebuyers.

“We are a HUD-certified counseling agency, so we can help folks who may need to improve their credit or budget for down payments and closing costs,” Meadows said.

The city has already begun renovations and expects the first homes to be on the market by the end of next fall.

SNHS hopes the renovated homes will serve as a source of pride for the community and reflect the neighborhood’s rich history.

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