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New Apartment Complex To Help People Get Back On Feet

Story Published: Jun 19, 2012 at 4:07 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jun 19, 2012 at 8:49 PM EDT

From the outside, it looks like one of Watertown's newest buildings.

But a closer look inside reveals its history.

It was once a farmhouse as well as a longtime a music school.

Now it's known as Music Center Apartments.

Neighbors of Watertown, the group behind the project, says recovering addicts and people who have fallen on hard times will live there.

The goal is to help struggling people get back on their feet.

"People are going to be on the street, either their losing their current housing, they're victims of a fire and a burn out, or their just priced out," said  Neighbors of Watertown CEO Gary Beasley.

"We need to also make sure we have housing for those who have been through trouble in their lives and they're getting back up on their feet and they need a place to be," said Jefferson County Legislator Caroline Fitzpatrick (R. - District 12).

It was important to keep as much of the historic house as possible.

"We've tried to preserve the historic character of the building, at the same time, make it functional in the a more modern way," said Mark Gebo, president of Neighbors Of Watertown.

Making the building functional took longer than expected - 3 years in fact - due to legal red tape and getting the money.

"It seems like forever," said Beasley.

"Fortunately, it all came together and that's really a tribute to our staff who work diligently," said Gebo.

And with all that hard work on display in the apartments, it'll just be a couple of weeks before tenants are living there.

In all, there are 13 apartments.
 
Thursday, May 23, 2013
, Watertown, NY

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