ROCKFORD, Ill. — The City of Rockford is making a major push to eliminate neighborhood blight by investing in the rehabilitation of long-vacant homes and helping new owners bring them back to life.
Under the city’s Vacant/Foreclosing Property Ordinance, officials are identifying abandoned properties and working with individuals ready to restore them. One such property — a historic house at 730 N. Second Street — has sat untouched for nearly two decades. But now, thanks to local developer Brett Marinelli, it’s getting a second chance.
“They don’t build them like this anymore,” Marinelli told WTVO News. “It’s an absolutely gorgeous home with great bones, and we want to bring it back to where it used to be and where it should be.”
Reviving Century-Old Architecture for Modern Living
The home, originally built in the early 1900s, had become an eyesore after 19 years of abandonment. Marinelli, who has been flipping and rehabbing homes in Rockford for five years, said the structure’s age and character were exactly what drew him in.
He plans to convert the house into a two-unit rental, with tenants living on both floors. His goal is to attract renters who appreciate vintage homes with architectural charm.
“I hope to attract a certain person to the property that appreciates that old-time feel to it, that maybe lived in a home like this growing up,” he added.
City Officials Say It’s About More Than Just One Property
Brandon Kruse, a Residential Property Inspector for Rockford, emphasized that restoring properties like this one has a ripple effect on surrounding blocks.
“It’s hard to want to invest in your property when you live next to something like that,” Kruse said. “But when someone fixes up that home, it inspires neighbors to do the same.”
The city is actively working to remove vacant structures that drag down neighborhood morale. By getting homes into the hands of responsible owners and developers, they hope to create safer, more attractive neighborhoods citywide.
More about Rockford’s ordinance can be found on the official city website.
A Personal Passion Project for the Developer
Marinelli, who hopes to finish renovations in about four months, said seeing the transformation of neglected homes is what drives him.
“My passion is from what it looks like from the beginning to what it looks like at the end,” he said. “I can’t wait to get some good tenants in here to enjoy the property.”
Do you live near a property that’s been vacant for years? How do you think restoration efforts like this impact your community? Tell us your story at chicagosuburbanfamily.com.
