People willing to look past a few empty lots can find signs of growth today in Uptown St. Joseph.

The Uptown St. Joseph Redevelopment Corp. will show off a selection of rehabilitated properties from 2 to 5 p.m. during the group’s annual homes tour. Examples range from historic mansions to small houses and even an office building.

“We wanted to show people that you don’t have to have a large home to be a part of this,” said Judy Moody, project manager for Uptown St. Joseph.

Uptown is roughly bounded by Jules Street and Frederick Avenue to the south, Powell Street on the north, 13th Street on the east and Fourth Street on the west. It includes the Hall Street, Cathedral Hill and Robidoux Hill historic districts.

Joe Morrey purchased a building at 422 N. Seventh Street as a challenge. He plans to turn the 19th-century structure into a state-of-the-art office for his law practice. All the original plumbing and electrical works have been removed, along with nearly 150 years of debris.

“I’m trying to take it from the 1800s and skip an entire century and bring it to the 2000s, while keeping the historical integrity of the structure,” Mr. Morrey said.

Mr. Morrey’s building will serve as tour headquarters and will host window restoration workshops at 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.

Financial incentives lighten the financial burden of rehabbing an Uptown home. Owners can receive 100 percent property tax abatement for 10 years, then a 50 percent abatement for the next 15 years. State and federal programs can offer additional funds for buildings in historic districts.

Many people look at the empty lots where Heartland Health’s western campus once stood and assume the idea of Uptown rehabilitation has died. In fact, millions have flowed into the area. The Uptown St. Joseph group estimates that residents have invested $8.5 million in rehab work through the tax abatement program. Projects currently under way are worth about $4.4 million.

Clinton Thomas can be reached

at clintonthomas@npgco.com.