Interior of foreclosed home prior to floor to ceiling renovation. Photo C. Tyson

From ugly duckling and public nuisance to, many hope, Cinderella after a vigorous makeover. As reported in our July 21 issue, a vacant property near the El Curtola Bridge was so dilapidated that animals were getting inside and the County Building Inspection Department had declared the rotting back deck to be a hazard.

The property was recently purchased by Stan Wahl, a contractor, in partnership with Carolyn Lacy of Contemporary Housing Solutions LLC. They plan to quickly renovate the home and put it up for sale.

The interior has been completely cleaned out and work has begun on updating the four bedroom, three bath home. The sagging rear deck and all the yard debris have been removed.

Although there were a number of substantial liens against the property the pair now has a Quit Claim deed, along with architectural plans that keep the original footprint and roof height. They plan to re-configure the awkward entry to open up the main living space, moving the front door and providing a view straight through the home to the rolling hills beyond.

The team anticipates the re-model from the ground up will take approximately three months. If all goes according to plan, by the first of next year the foundation will be stabilized, floors leveled, a new roof and new sheetrock installed, two completely new bathrooms and a high end kitchen will be in place - all awaiting potential buyers.

"On behalf of the City and the neighbors we are very pleased that it's progressing so quickly," said Code Enforcement Officer Mark Robbins.