The city of Altadena marked a major milestone on Wednesday in its path to rebuild since the first certificate of occupancy was handed to a homeowner who lost his home to the Eaton Fire.
Ted Koerner and his 13-year-old golden retriever, Daisy Mae, are enjoying their new house months after their original home was destroyed by January’s brush fire. Built with fire-resistant materials in the windows and a sprinkler system all around, the new home is described as a ”fortress of fire,” according to Koerner.
“We just get up real early and go outside and you can see all the way to Redondo (Beach), and we can see all the way Dana Point and we just sit quietly and marvel at the reality that we are home,’ he said.
Koerner said getting funding was his biggest obstacle. He said he took out his retirement savings to start his rebuild process as he waited for insurance and mortgage servicers to respond.
“I was $700,000 into the rebuild with my own money before the mortgage servicers gave me one cent of my insurance back,” he said.
In a major mark of recovery, Koerner’s completed home came with the first certificate of occupancy issued for a resident affected by the devastating blaze. A special ceremony was held outside the rebuilt home to mark the occasion.
Construction is ongoing across Altadena, and many applications are in various stages of review. The county’s permitting website shows that out of 5,936 homes or businesses destroyed, 2,426 applications for rebuilds have been received.
Allison Craig is a passionate sports writer and analyst with a deep love for game strategies, player performances, and the latest trends in the sports world. With years of experience covering football, basketball, tennis, and more, she delivers insightful analysis and engaging content for sports enthusiasts.
No responses yet