Downtown's Neighborhood

Neighborhood shows off rehab
Nelson Street house gets new life
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"Simerman, now in his fifth stint as association president, says when he looks back at the way the neighborhood looked 25 years ago, improvements are apparent. Some, he says, resulted from money the tour raised."

"Profits also were used to help pay for installation of period-appropriate street lights along West Washington and West Jefferson boulevards and to move two houses, one into the neighborhood from East Main Street and another within the neighborhood’s boundaries, he says."

"In the past year, Simerman says, the group, established in 1969, has changed its institutional status from a 501c(4) to a 501c(3) organization. The change means the group is still tax exempt but can no longer engage in political activity, even as a secondary purpose.

The change also enables the group’s donors to receive federal income tax deductions for contributions and broadens the organization’s ability to apply for financial assistance through government and private foundation programs, Simerman says."

"Simerman, 58, a contractor and antiques dealer, says restoration work in the neighborhood is ongoing. ARCH, the city’s non-profit historic preservation group, recently purchased properties at 802 and 804 W. Washington Blvd. with the intent of restoring the two structures. And he points to recent city approval of the 1000 block of Broadway as a local historic district."