Three years after a devastating fire destroyed multiple homes on Preston Avenue in Hornell, students with GST BOCES have finished their 11th house in the City on the same site of the fire. The announcement was made by Hornell City Mayor John Buckley, who praised the partnership between the City and GST BOCES for their efforts in rebuilding the neighborhood.
“In the aftermath of the 2019 fire, it was hard to imagine that we would be here three short years later with this beautiful home ready to breathe new life into this neighborhood that was scarred by the events of the fire,” said Buckley. “We are really excited about this home, the future of the neighborhood, and appreciative of all the hard work that went into it.”
The 3-bedroom, single-story house is available for bids starting at $202,000. The bidding period began on January 8th and will close on February 13th. An open house will be held on January 11th from 2:30 to 4 p.m. for interested parties to view the home. Anyone with questions can call the City’s Public Works department at 607-324-7421.
The partnership between the City and GST BOCES allows students to gain experience and knowledge in the construction field while also providing a new home to a community in need. BOCES Superintendent Mitchell Cornish stated that “The great thing about this partnership is there is no labor cost. While students gain experience and knowledge, a new home goes into a neighborhood. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
In October 2022, the City also announced that Mayor Buckley had purchased a lot for $1 that will be the site of BOCES’ 12th house in the City, continuing the effort to rebuild and revitalize the community.
It is worth mentioning that the fact that the project was done by students and the cost of the materials being the only cost, it is a great way to provide affordable housing and to help local communities recover after a disaster.
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