by S. Rotan Hale
It was a great morning for a celebration bringing a grand old structure back into the mainstream after many years of dormancy.
A crowd of enthusiastic supporters joined several elected officials and a host of representatives from the City Economic Development Department who all gathered on the clear and brisk November day (11/6) to cut the ribbon on the newly renovated Villa Heights Recreation building in northwest.
The historic 5,000 sq. ft. structure, built in the 1920’s–once known as the Compton-Bateman House–has been leased to Kingdom Life Ministries International, a non-denominational church with Rev. Kathy O’Keeffe senior pastor.
During her comments Rev. O’Keeffe expressed her appreciation for the northwest non-profits and their collaborative efforts as the first tenants. She was particularly proud of her church leading the way as “anchor tenant.”
“Our major focus is understanding and being a support network for the neighborhood and doing everything possible to make this one of the most vital neighborhoods in the valley.”
With Kingdom Life at the helm, the new community center will be leased by three local nonprofits as subtenants: CAFE (Cultural Arts for Excellence) led by Donna Robinson, LEAP for Local Food led by Maureen Best and Xavier Duckett’s Humble Hustle.
“This is a better opportunity than any of us (organizers) could have ever imagined,” said Councilwoman Anita Price who, along with her family–lives within walking distance of this particular area.
“To be able to give back to this community and to see this building have life breathed into it, is amazing.”
Tapering her comments, Price christened the center with a vintage painting of the classic structure that has now been restored to greatness far beyond its original state.
Isabel Thornton, executive director, Restoration Housing, founded the organization in 2014 out of a passion for historic preservation and affordable housing. Among those recognized, Thornton gave special mention to Hughes Architect and Square One contractors for their handling of the project.
Xavier Duckett said he felt refreshed by the prospect of now having a “bigger and newer home office”–yet he still maintains space in the Village Center on 11th Street, a building local developer John Garland renovated into an upscale center on the ground floor with apartments on the second floor.
“This opens more opportunities for kids with whom we now have a good reach on, considering this new location,” said Duckett. “The main thing is to keep it fresh with new ideas and new programs for the community with major focus on the kids.”
The property, damaged by fire in 2011, was acquired by Restoration Housing (2017) a non-profit development group focused on historic preservation.
The structure’s transition from ruins to regal is an inspiring story in itself and many oohs and aahs were heard from those who browsed through the newly refurbished halls and corridors.
Adorned with new walls, refreshingly highlighted with soft pastel colors, upgraded fixtures, floors and stair cases, all breathe new life to this once forgotten edifice.
