The Saint John Tool Library wants to help the city give new life to vacant buildings through its Community Build Project.
The group wants to see buildings set for demolition be redeemed and transformed into community hubs or public housing.
Armed with a team of volunteers and an arsenal of tools, the group has already completed one successful build, and hope to do many more.
Founder Brent Harris says the initiative will strengthen communities and teach valuable life skills.
“Our desire in making an impact was to see builds happen, was to see a spirit of barn raising restored like there used to be,” he said.
In a presentation to council in February, Harris and his group asked for the city’s guidance in the community initiative.
“Some of those run-down buildings are on the docket to deal with, and I have no clue how to even start to begin to advocating for some of them that could be redeemed, but I know that just by starting the conversation there may be something there,” he said.
He says cost of materials for the renovation projects is holding them back, as well as a lack of guidance and external resources.
Currently, they are applying for grants, and hope to raise money for materials by working with local construction companies, and through community engagement.
In the mean time, the tool library is offering classes for anyone wanting to fix up their own homes.
