Coon Rapids Remodeling Foreclosure Project Kicks Off

COON RAPIDS - The Home for Generations project, which aims to turn foreclosed fixer-uppers into gotta-have homes, has kicked off in Coon Rapids.

Workers have started on the first house undergoing renovation in the Coon Rapids project. The city hopes that the investment will help get other foreclosures off the market.

When foreclosed homes sit empty for long, the life starts draining out of neighborhoods. So leaders in Coon Rapids decided it's time to invest.

So the city bought a 1950s home on Juniper St. to renovate, and show neighbors the possibilities.

"I think a lot of people need to see in person, what a house can turn out to be," says Coon Rapids neighborhood coordinator Kristin Degrande.

The city held an open house to let residents look at the blueprints. Lennox Builders is doing the heavy lifting -- updating an 800-square-foot home for a modern day family on a modest budget.

The builders are allowed to spend $60,000 for the entire home makeover. They want to show potential buyers and homeowners how to remodel affordably.

"Let's look at getting recycled products in our houses. Let's look at reusing materials," says Sean Lennox, of Lennox Builders. Neighbors are already getting on board.

"I think it's a good upgrade. It'll make these homes more liveable."

Residents realize the city's investment may not bring instant progress, but it is a start.

Renovations on this foreclosure will be completed in May, and the public will be invited back inside. The city bought the home for $90,000. With $60,000 going into renovations, the hope is that it will sell for at least $160,000. The city will use profits to fix up another foreclosure.