Alpenhaus Apartments were destroyed by fire two years ago, now, they're rebuilt and the new building means home, sweet home
GAYLORD, MI -- A project in Otsego County is almost complete that will put nearly 30 people back in their homes after a fire more than two years.
And the special bond between the apartment neighbors makes this the perfect Christmas present.
"It’s just not home, you know, it's a beautiful apartment, they're really nice, but it's just not home," says Audrey Bonnell, talking about where she lives now.
“I'm stuck in here all day long with nobody," explains Shirley Erwin.
Separated by about a mile, Audrey Bonnell and Shirley Erwin live alone and have missed what they had a little more than two years ago, a place to live, love, and share as best friends.
The two women were among the 52 seniors and people with disabilities who lived in Alpenhaus Apartments before a lightning strike sparked a fire on July 22nd, 2009. Everyone made it out alive, but the complex was destroyed, taking with it the bond they once shared.
Now, the women are packing up their boxes, because the ashes have rose. Alpenhaus is rebuilt. Wednesday, the two women got their first glance of where they'll soon once again call home, sweet home.
Contractors are finishing up the punch list, hoping to get the apartments opened in a month from now.
“We've all hung on to hope that we were coming back," says Bonnell.
A perfect Christmas present that might be coming a little late, but better late, than never.
“Here, it's home, with my friends, you know, with, you know, and the things we do together is like, you have your family," says Erwin.
In fact, 29 of the residents will be moving back. Debra Smith is the manager of Alpenhaus, she goes by mom and calls the tenants kids, and she says there's just something about this place.
“I love everyone in here, even the grumpy old farts, whoops!" she laughs. “They're an awesome bunch of people, and I missed every minute."
A little more than two and a half years later after that fire destroyed so much, these residents will be coming back home, and they say the first thing they're going to do is break in this place by having a party, to thank everybody coming together to bring back home.
Art Jeannot is the project developer from Benzie County who rebuilt the complex.
He took over once the old apartments burned down, and says the community support along with two supporting banks made the project possible.
He hopes to have the friends in the apartments by the beginning of February.
