It was almost a year ago that we told you, as part of a longer post about several projects on the block, about 809 and 811 N 15th St., two homes that had just been gutted. Looking back at a Google Street View photo from 2009, it seems likely that both homes were vacant for years beforehand.

In the past, from the south

Last February

We were in the area recently to snap photos of the progress at the JBJ Soul Homes, and noticed that the aforementioned properties were still very much under construction.

Looking south, this time

Closer look

As you can clearly see, the brick facades of these buildings were removed and have been replaced by plywood fronts that will either be clad in brick or sealed with stucco (here’s hoping for the former). What’s interesting here is not so much that these homes are being redone, since oh so many homes in this neighborhood are experiencing the same treatment. Nor is it particularly of import that the facades were removed; it’s not out of the question that they were too damaged to be maintained after years of neglect. No, what’s caught our attention is the mystery of what’s taking the owners, Churchill Investments, so much time to complete the project.

A home across the street that was mentioned in the same post last February has been finished and on the market for over two months. So what’s the holdup, folks? L&I? Financing? Distractions from other projects?

Even if it takes another year for the developers to finish these homes, they will be one more positive for a neighborhood that’s seeing development on almost every corner. Now, if only the City would sell off some of the lots they own just to the north, we’d really be in business.

C'mon, PRA! Just let go!