Jumping In

Ten years ago I bought a cute little house in the Kutzky Park neighborhood of Rochester, Minnesota. Within months I joined the neighborhood board and began learning about proposed development projects in our downtown, historic community. 

I credit a handful of good friends, neighbors and fellow community leaders for teaching me everything I needed to know about these complex plans and projects. I eventually became President of the neighborhood association and joined the city committee for Urban Design and Environment. 

Though circumstances eventually brought me north to Minneapolis, my time in Rochester sparked something in me: a desire to restore and preserve old homes and neighborhoods, even as the communities around them changed and evolved.

One of the things I love most about Minneapolis is the diversity of its neighborhoods. Houses, apartments, retail, commercial and green space co-exist in unique pockets throughout the city. In 2022 I started to think about how I could leverage everything I learned during my time in Rochester, and for me, I found inspiration in being able to bring new life to old houses. 

Seven months later, I closed on my first renovation project. Did I know what I was doing? Not really. But I had a plan and team of trusted advisors (more on that later), and knew that the only way to start was to start.