Habitat for Humanity Takes Steps to Revitalize Osage Street

A community-driven effort is underway on Osage Street, where Habitat for Humanity of Warren County, alongside local partners, is working to make the neighborhood safer and more welcoming. Volunteers, law enforcement, and business partners gathered this week to board up abandoned buildings—an important step in preparing for future revitalization.

Andréa Ross, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Warren County, led the effort with a clear mission: “We want to be good neighbors preemptively. Before we begin the revitalization process, we’re working to secure these burned-out buildings to prevent break-ins and reduce safety hazards.”

A Collaborative Effort

The effort received strong support from local law enforcement and businesses, including Lowe’s, which donated materials and manpower. Officer John Miller confirmed that abandoned buildings in the area had become hotspots for trespassing and unsafe conditions. “You can see it—old garments, beds, even buckets of things that need to be taken out. Once we board this up, that won’t happen again,” he said.

Lowe’s store manager, Melinda Counts, emphasized the company’s commitment to community projects. “We are here for the community,” she said. “This is where everybody knows your name. We want to help revitalize neighborhoods, just like we did with the 4-H project last year.”

Warren Lee, Habitat for Humanity’s contractor of record, was also on-site, ready to play a key role in the transformation. The project has been a long time in the making, but as board member Deborah Sixay pointed out, change doesn’t happen overnight. “It’s a long process. We have to clear titles and get town approvals, but we are so excited about what’s ahead.”

Restoring a Neighborhood’s Legacy

Osage Street holds deep historical significance for many long-time residents. The now-damaged buildings include structures like the old Mason’s Lodge, which was lost to a fire last year. As plans for redevelopment move forward, there is a conscious effort to preserve the neighborhood’s history.

“I’ve been talking with the neighbors, listening to their stories,” Ross said. “Some of these buildings mean something to the people here—this isn’t just a news story to them, it’s their lives. We don’t want to lose that history as we move forward.”

While the short-term goal is to board up dangerous buildings, the long-term vision is much bigger. Plans for 2025 include demolishing these structures to make way for affordable housing, including single-family homes and duplexes. The revitalized neighborhood will be a mix of Habitat and non-Habitat homeowners, creating a vibrant, inclusive community.

Looking Ahead

Residents and volunteers alike are optimistic about the future of Osage Street. “Once everything is said and done, this will be a neighborhood where kids play in the yards again,” Ross said. “A safe, welcoming place where people want to live.”

Ross expressed her gratitude to everyone who contributed to the day’s efforts. “We couldn’t do this without our partners,” she said, offering a special thanks to Lowe’s, including Store Manager Melinda Counts and team members Josh Abrams, Eugene Jordan, Mike Petersen, John Christoforatos, and Nyle Pitcock. She also recognized Warren-Lee Construction’s team—Vinnie DiClementi, Nate Christenson, and Aaron Irving—for their support.

From Habitat for Humanity, President Debra Siksay, and Construction Chair Ben Short were instrumental in leading the project, along with team members Imani Ross, Andrew Ross, and Kim Jones.

“This is what community looks like,” Ross said. “When people come together to create change, amazing things happen.”

As more businesses and volunteers step up, Habitat for Humanity and its partners continue to bring positive change to Warren County—one block at a time.