New Life Project
Jacksonville
What started as an effort to save one troubled building from demolition has given rise to a new local Main Street program for the Jacksonville community. In 2005, a dilapidated multi-family residence went through foreclosure and was slated for demolition. The Farmers State Bank and Trust Company donated the property to Jacksonville Main Street (JMS) whose mission is to rehabilitate the downtown area. The JMS board took the opportunity to create a model for rehabilitation by returning the property to single-family use through a series of innovative partnerships. The property quickly sold at the asking price and the rehabilitation has prompted surrounding property owners to take on their own home improvement projects.