|
What was
likely a 19th Century farmhouse has been
restored and "modernized" by one of the
Kennedys' neighborhood revitalization
projects.
Kay
Kennedy wanted better housing,
so she started in her own backyard
Story & photos by SUSAN LASSITER
Smithfield residents in the neighborhood near
West Davis Street have noticed quite a difference in
the appearance and quality of homes from what they’d
been years ago. Many of the improvements are the work
of one local woman: Kay Kennedy, who resides nearby.
Her entre into residential property management began
in 1994 when her husband Bill bought a 15-unit
apartment complex at the western end of Davis Street.
The Kennedys lived just a block away and were
concerned about the future of the apartments because
they weren’t fully occupied and needed repairs.
The timing was good for Kay because she’d resigned
from a job in sales that she’d held with a Raleigh
company for 18 years. Bill thought his apartment
purchase was a good investment and a “great job for
Kay." Thus began their long-term ambition to protect
their neighborhood from decline with Kay at the helm
of their management company.
Over the years, more and more nearby residential
properties were acquired by them for rentals. Homes,
not only on West Davis Street, but also on Vermont,
First, and Rose streets have undergone extensive
improvements – a total of 21 detached dwellings and
one duplex altogether.
Some of the modest houses were true eyesores. Kay’s
goal was to "make them pretty and usable." She also
hoped neighbors would feel safe and would enjoy
getting to know each other as a small community.
Kay takes pleasure in restoring old houses in poor
condition, especially the design part. Although she
could visualize the improvements, she admitted: "I
would not have been able to do this without all the
wonderful local contractors and craftsmen who have
helped me over the years."
Renovations often
involved up-fitting kitchens and baths, replacing
floors, relocating walls, rebuilding stairways, and
anything else that made a house more livable. The
project she’s proudest of is at the corner of West
Davis and South First streets. It’s also her most
recent renovation project.
Built around
1900, this was likely a farmhouse on the edge of town.
In latter years, it fell into terrible condition, and
neighbors feared the vacant house could burn down
before being torn down. The Kennedys bought the
property in 2016. Due to the amount of work needed and
delays caused by Hurricane Matthew and then COVID, it
took almost six years to complete.
Kay Kennedy, Kristen Tucker,
and Bill Kennedy stand at the entrance to the
restored house the pastor purchased.
|
Today, it is an amazing showcase of revitalization.
The architectural integrity of the house was preserved
and some of its original moldings and mantels have
been reclaimed.
The restored home
was purchased this year by Kristen Tucker, the new
senior pastor at Smithfield's First Baptist Church.
Rev. Tucker recently held an open house for her
congregation to tour the property. Praises were
exclaimed throughout the home by attendees who were
greatly surprised with the beautiful transition of the
house and yard.
Bill Kennedy grew
up in the Newton Grove area of Sampson County and Kay
on a farm in Johnston County's Meadow Township, so
both appreciate "small town living." They've become
neighborhood preservationists working to protect homes
from spiraling into decline.
"People have an opportunity to invest in our town and
upgrade rundown properties," said Kay. "It’s fun to
create a pretty home."
Here are samples of the rental
housing made better by the Kennedys:
These two stand along the 500 block of Vermont
Street.
These two grace the 100 block of West Davis
Street.
These
cottages are found in the 400 block of Vermont
Street close to the Kennedys' residence on Riverside
Drive.
Here are the apartments near the end of West Davis
Street purchased by Bill Kennedy in 1994. That was the
start of the Kennedys' investment in numerous
residential properties in need of fixing up.
|
