Silver City Home Gets High-Efficiency Rehab

Feb. 2, 2009 -- A nearly 110-year-old house in Milwaukee’s Silver City neighborhood has a new lease on life as part of a community group’s work to revitalize the area. The home, at 1213 S. 29th St., is now for sale after being completely renovated.

The project was the first in the Layton Boulevard West Neighbors association’s Turnkey Renovations Program, with the help of area organizations and businesses, including Lagina Plumbing.

“The Turnkey Renovations Program is a proactive strategy to deal with foreclosed homes in the Layton Boulevard West neighborhood,” said Jeremy Belot of the association. The association purchases vacant, foreclosed homes to renovate them with an emphasis on energy efficient improvements and restoration of craftsman features.

“We’re happy to support the continued revitalization of this historic part of Milwaukee,” said Jim Lagina, president of Lagina Plumbing. “We see great things happening here. The neighborhood has great people, the homes have great character, and the location is very convenient for both residents and businesses.”

Lagina Plumbing moved into a Silver City neighborhood building it purchased and renovated in 2007. (Read about Lagina Plumbing's renovation of the historic building on Pierce Street.)

Belot said the homes in the neighborhood are typically 80 to 100 years old, with a variety of architectural and craftsmanship characteristics but are often in need of maintenance.

“Old windows, furnaces, water heaters, faucets, and inadequate insulation lead to very expensive utility bills for the owner or tenant,” he said. “Deteriorated interior and exterior conditions can also help keep a property vacant and without a buyer.”

Once a Turkey Renovations Program home is completed, the buyer will have no improvements to worry about, Belot said.

“Typical work to the house includes replacement of the roof, windows, insulation, porches, siding and necessary repairs,” he said “Kitchens and bathrooms will be remodeled to make the homes attractive. Cosmetic improvements like refinishing wood floors, trim and doors will help to showcase the materials and craftsmanship of the older homes in the neighborhood which often cannot be replicated in newer homes.”

Other work aims at energy efficiency. That comes from insulation, high-efficiency heating systems, lighting fixtures and water-efficient plumbing fixtures. A solar water heating system helps reduce water-heating costs.

Lagina Plumbing donated all the plumbing services and related materials for the home.

Other partners in the project were We Energies, Focus on Energy, Wisconsin Energy Foundation, Johnson Controls, The  Home Depot and Community Warehouse.

We Energies and Focus on Energy are assisting with an energy audit and grants to meet the energy improvements stated in the audit. They are also providing grants for up to 70% of the cost of a solar thermal water heating system. Johnson Controls is providing a grant and pro-bono service to design and install a new heating system that is connected with the solar thermal water heater.

Downspouts will be disconnected from the sewer system and directed into rain gardens and rain barrels to reduce the risk of sewer system overflows and water leaks into basements.

Tri-City National Bank financed the project. The two-bedroom home, with nearly 1,300 square feet of living space, is being sold for $117,000.