Courier-Post from Camden, New Jersey • Page A3

courierpostonline.com Editor Phaedra Trethan 856-486-2401 3A OUR TOWNS The three-story building at the intersection of asper Street and Broadw ay in Camden looks like i survived a bad explosion. Windows are blown out. The rear side on Jasper is a pile of rubble. A quick peek through a hole in the wall on the first floor reveals the need for amajor makeover. The building will get hat and more as the Heart of Camden takes a nother step in creating a arts district in Water- ront South.

The dilapidated Jasper Street structure will be transformed in fewer than 15 months into the House, a retreat for the creative in the neighborhood and beyond. Heart of Camden will appear before the planning board Thursday seeking approval for the lan. Construction on the estimated $1million project is expected to begin after that. The funding will come via grants, according to Lisa Kiernan, Heart of executive director. he interior ill be gutted and most of he exterior replaced, restoring it as much as possible to the original condition.

That includes slate the third-floor roof and rick on most of the rest the exterior. When completed, the Nick Virgilio Haiku Society building will be a quiet espite for any literary a vocation. A modest itchen and tables will greet visitors on the first floor. On the second floor will be a media library room. There will be classrooms as well.

In the rear outside, the renovations will create a place to reflect even a small pond. A ll this in honor of Virgilio the Camden resident who captivated haiku enthusiasts worldwide? been a lot of talk for years of creating a memorial for Nick said Monsignor Mic hael Doyle, who runs earby Sacred Heart atholic Church. we came up with the House in honor and memory of he writer, who died in 1 989, was no stranger to he neighborhood, Doyle noted. But he exactly a traditionalist either. He would come five imes a week to the rector and again on the priest added.

would ride the bus to the Reading Terminal to bring back food for us and a haiku. Then wash the dishes and ask our opinion about his haiku. was always inter- sted in what you thought about Doyle added. Avibrant person who graduated Camden High School, Virgilio visited Rutgers in search of Chinese oetry and discovered Japanese poetry instead. his is one of avorites: he sack of kittens sinking in the icy creek increases the cold Paints a vivid image.

People can come and rite and remember who ick Kiernan said. something the community can enjoy as each William Sokolic at 856) 486-2437 or online.com or Twitter Approval sought for House WILLIAM SOKOLIC COURIER-POST PHOTOS BY JOHN Lisa Kiernan, executive director Heart of Camden, walks past the future home of the Nick Virgilio Writer's House and looks over plans for the creative retreat on onday. The structure is named after the haiku poet and Camden resident, who died in 1989. Arendering shows the eventual look of the writers house. The site is at Jasper Street and Broadway in Waterfront South neighborhood..