In case you haven’t heard, Jack & I have purchased 46 College NE. The house next door to us that burned. Where to start? The beginning usually is the answer, however I’ll start in the past (the real beginning as you’ll see.) 50 College NE was built in 1885 on a lot much larger than today’s lot. Eventually part of that parcel was purchased and the home that we know as the Devries house (46 College) was moved into it’s present location.

Now fast forward to today. We all have been aware of the difficulties to rebuild 46 College NE. That struggle ended on August 15, 2007 with the approval to demolish from the Historic Preservation Commission. I can not put into words our devastating disappointment. We so much wanted a house rebuilt but readily understood the major road blocks in the way---inaccessibility, skyrocketing costs, red-tape bureaucracy, etc. etc. Anticipating work to begin, we patiently put off our own fire related repairs, and now this blow. So, we sat and wondered nervously - “what now?”

Several weeks went by when Laura Devries (the owner) approached us and offered the opportunity to purchase the home and demolish it. Huh?! You’re asking your #1 rebuilding cheerleaders to tear it down!? How ironic is this? We thought long about it. If we didn’t purchase it how much longer would it sit as is? The Block can’t have this go on. The approval to demolish from the HPC is for a whole long year from date of approval! NO! Not knowing what would become of the house, or the property we had our answer. We had to accept their offer and so we did!

We expect demolition to begin any day and anxiously await Pitsch Wreaking to give us a start date. In this process we also will be restoring the original lot of 50 College NE. We have come full circle. What was once the original parcel, then divided, is now reunited!

So out of a terrible, terrifying night back in January we have found the happy ending. Like the story of the Phoenix a new life emerges. Gardens, trees, flowers out of the rubble. I only hope that through this project we are able to turn a depressing ugly sight into one of beauty that will enhance our neighborhood.

I’ll leave you with two Italian sayings that have helped me in this long year - Pace e Bene (Peace and Good) and Tutto e Possibile (All is Possible).