Another gem saved

Every once in a while the stars align and that blighted building that seemed forever doomed gets its love match and, just like that, the air lightens, people start smiling and all’s right with the world.

The rescue of 1010 Cedar Ave. didn’t happen just like that. The new owners went through a mild practice version of hell between their offer in the fall and their closing in June, not to mention — though here I’m mentioning it, aren’t I ? — the many musters they had to pass legally in historic review, in zoning and with an outstanding lien and owners who were abroad at the time.

But after three weeks of gutting and cleaning a house that had been vacant for more than 30 years, 20 volunteers who came out looking like coal miners have delivered for imminent renovation one of the Northside’s signature residential Victorians — one at a major crossroads.

The new owners, Justin and Keili Mistovich are young physicians; she’s in residence at Childrens’ Hospital, he’s a physician in orthopedics at Allegheny General Hospital, which is right across North Avenue from 1010 Cedar.   

They intend to establish a bed-and-breakfast on the site. The photo above shows them with their infant daughter, Madeleine, Mark Masterson of the Northside Community Development Fund, City Council President Darlene Harris (bending) and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl at a recent “groundbreaking.”

Check the Post-Gazette through Monday for the full story.