LAKEWOOD, Ohio — Dec. 27, 2007 – First Federal of Lakewood and the City of Lakewood officially unveiled the newly completed, converted home at 2227 Bunts Rd., at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 11. Gary Fix, First Federal president, CEO and managing officer, and Tom Jordan, Lakewood director of planning and development, addressed project partners, First Federal executives, city officials, local realtors and Lakewood community members at the ceremony.

The approximately 2,200 square-foot dwelling was transformed from a duplex into a single-family home through a project that began in mid-May of this year. The project is a combined effort between First Federal, the City and independent architect Paul Beegan. Prudential Lucien Realty is handling the property sale.

“We have called Lakewood home since 1935, and it was an easy decision to lead this project and give something back to the community,” said Gary Fix, First Federal president, CEO and managing officer. “It is our hope that the success of this project will encourage more renovations and bring more owner-occupied homes to the city.”

Fix added, “Projects like this do not happen by accident and we recognize the many groups who partnered with us to make this great project a reality.”

“Lakewood is a City of beautiful historic homes and we have always been proud of the diversity of our housing options,” said Tom Jordan, director of planning and development for the City of Lakewood. “We hope this unit serves as a model architecturally and as a business model for others to explore the conversion of this type of housing.”

Exterior renovations to the home include: new windows, siding and roof, removal of the top-floor porch to create a single-family home front, a backyard deck, landscaping and garage construction. Interior renovations include: air conditioning, second-floor laundry room, master bedroom with a new bathroom and a walk-in closet. The property is marked for sale at $189,000.

First Federal of Lakewood, with 12 locations in Northeast Ohio, has total assets exceeding $1 billion. Founded in 1935, First Federal of Lakewood is a community savings and loan institution with a deep-rooted tradition of financial strength, stability and integrity. Visit www.FFL.net for additional information.

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