Hello All Good things are happening in Highland Park! I just found out that the Highland Park Community Development Corp (CDC) is getting ready for the houses on the 800 block of Mellon Street to begin construction. As you saw in the Union Project's update, they are helping to get the buildings cleaned out and ready for construction. If the buildings and yards are cleaned of debris, then there is less cost to rehab these houses. So this Saturday, November 13th, there is a big get-together on the 800 block of Mellon (between Jackson and Stanton). Come on out and check out the drawings of what is planned. Talk with some of the CDC members who have been working hard to get these properties rehabbed instead of demolished. Bring a few tools, gloves and some energy and give a hand to get these properties ready. If you are unfamiliar with the CDC, this will be a good introduction. Right now there are 4 homes that are scheduled to be worked on. On the entire 800 Mellon block, there are 11 homes and 2 apartment buildings. So when this project is done, there is going to be a major change on that block. I am looking forward to this. This will have a major impact on the entire Highland Park neighborhood. Construction is supposed to start in the Spring, according to the rumors I have heard. But you can come down on Saturday and find out the story. If you are not aware of the houses, you should stop by. They all have turrets, lots of potential, and are surprisingly large. So bring your tools, gloves and study shoes, or just stop by and check out the buildings. Since the buildings don't have power, bring a flashlight for those dark areas. Fortunately, houses in our neighborhood have lots of big windows, so most of the areas in the houses will have enough light. If you arrive at 9 am, then you can do some work and still have time to make it to the Farmhouse for the HPCC Harvest Party at 12:30. See you on Saturday. Bob HPCC President