Historical April–May 2019 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
While the streets of North St. Louis may be filled with vacant lots and empty buildings, one neighbor and son of Skinker DeBaliviere is working to assure that our neighborhood is filled with homes that are well maintained and occupied. Eric Trudo grew up in the neighborhood.
His great-grandfather and grandfather worked in wood, one a cabinet maker and one a master carpenter. Eric took up their tools and learned to use them in the business of rehabilitation of older dwellings.
The first project was 5918 DeGiverville, which was a shell, on the list to be demolished, when Eric began work. Completing the renovation, he moved into this house on March 5, 2010, and continues to live there.
All the while working as a firefighter for the City of St. Louis, Eric has rehabbed 14 homes in the neighborhood, saving them from varying states of decay.
He has touched nearly every house on the 5900 block of DeGiverville, either doing major projects or fixes and upgrades for his neighbors.
The house pictured above was purchased by Eric,and rehabbed with funds loaned by the Skinker Debaliviere Housing Corporation.
With the sale of the home to new owners and the tax credits received, that loan has been repaid in full. Next big project – 5835 DeGiverville, devastated by fire last year, will become another neighborhood asset.
When asked why pursuing this passion, Eric says that he ‘looks past the ugly, enjoys the challenge, and takes pride in the neighborhood where he has chosen to spend his life.’
Original photograph caption
Before and after 5859 De Giverville, rehabbed by Eric Trudo after fire left it empty and abandoned.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April–May 2019.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2019_04.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
