Here's an update on a second house that was in limbo for a while, but is showing signs of coming back to life. To read about the first house, see "Moving out of limbo," May 3.This house, at 14th and Mulberry streets, is much further along in its rejuvenation than this photo shows. I think I took it about a month ago.
It's owned by David Kim, who's with the firm Anderson/Kim Architecture + Urban Design, along with John Anderson (the developer, not the architect). Both of them worked for New Urban Builders, but then left to start their own practice.
Kim said he had been planning to tear down this house and replace it with a two-story live-work structure with a detached garage and an accessory unit above it, but soon realized the project would be too costly. He said he was unable to secure a construction loan.
So he's decided to refurbish the existing house "without breaking the bank" He isn't planning to increase its square footage. So far, a new front porch has been framed up and the exterior siding is being readied for painting.
He said he plans to eventually build a home on the part of the property that lies to the west of the house.
In the 11 years since I moved to Chico, I've seen a lot of houses on Mulberry undergo renovations. The street is looking great. I'm glad this house is joining the ranks of the rejuvenated.
About Me: Steve Brown is a copy editor at the Enterprise-Record. He began his blog,
"But This is Chico, too," in 2006. His column, "But This is Chico," ran in
the E-R from 2001 to 2008. He's a flaneur, which is a sentient ambler
through urban space. He sometimes writes about his adventures as a flaneur
in his blog. He hopes to eventually walk every block in Chico.
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