, Correspondent
Do you ever ask yourself that question as you drive around town? Don't know who to ask? Ask us! We'll select a question to research and print the answer each Friday. Call us at 836-2828 or send us an e-mail message to NRnews@newsobserver.com.Q. I am wondering what is up with the house lot at the intersection where Old Creedmoor meets up with Carpenter Pond Road in North Raleigh.There was a house on the lot which was moved. A sign appeared saying it was donated. Since it was a brick house, the bricks were removed before moving, and have been left on the lot.In addition to several piles of bricks, there is an out building, lots of debris and, in general, just a total mess. Trees were damaged in the move, etc. It just looks a sight!After the house was removed, yellow police tape went up with no trespassing signs. That tape is now just blowing in the wind, and not a thing has been done to remove the debris. Just wondering if it is ever going to be cleaned up.-- Karen J. AdamsA. According to Jean Richardson, one of the owners the property, the house that once stood on the lot was donated to Builders of Hope last November.According to their Web site, the charity is helping to provide housing to working people whose income falls below the median level. The home from Old Creedmoor became a part of their Barrington Village project, a neighborhood located off Barwell Road comprised entirely of relocated homes.Richardson said in order for the house to be transported, the rear enclosed porch and roof had to be removed. Bricks were also removed from the outside.How the property came to be for sale is as follows: After her father passed away in 2005, she and her brother and their spouses decided to put the land up for sale with the house on it. When someone with Builders of Hope approached her about donating the house, she jumped at the idea."I couldn't stand the thought of it being torn down," she said.Richardson has fond memories of growing up in what used to be a very rural location. Her father built the house himself and the family moved in when she was 2 years old. A barn sits on the property that used to be a cotton gin, and a garage/workshop was also added behind the house. A large garden provided a plethora of vegetables for the family.Her father also ran the general store, "J.K. Ray's Grocery" that still sits (abandoned) at the corner of Old Creedmoor and Carpenter Pond Road. The store sold canned goods, fatback, molasses and also gasoline. Richardson says farmers came from Durham and Creedmoor to buy their seed and fertilizer.As for the accumulation of debris on the property, Richardson says that not only were bricks and other materials left from when the house was moved, but people have been illegally dumping on the property. Their lawyer advised them to put up the yellow tape.Richardson said they have hired someone to come clean up the property this week.
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