HPF’s Real Estate Committee selects a target area where our restoration and revitalization efforts are focused. Once an area is selected, available properties are purchased and then marketed.

Concentrating on a specific street or area and acquiring historic structures in this targeted area enables us to make a greater impact saving Petersburg’s distinctive architecture and improving a neighborhood than acquiring properties in different sections throughout the city.

When several restoration projects are underway in a target area, it encourages others to invest in restoring a property of their own…and pride in the neighborhood rises.

West High Street in the Battersea-West High Historic District and Liberty Street in the Poplar Lawn Historic District are two recent target areas.

HPF purchased five historic structures on Liberty Street. At this time, there is only one remaining in our “For Sale” inventory.

Three historic structures on West High Street were purchased to kick start efforts there. Two of these remain in our “For Sale” inventory.

The historic structures that HPF acquires have been neglected for many years and are usually not liveable in their present state. It often takes several years for an area to be revitalized and properties restored before we move on to the challenges of another target area.

In October 2008, the real estate committee members met for a tour of several neighborhoods and are now researching a new or expanded target area.