At Each Hurdle, Stronger Resolve

"I found myself saying to people, 'silver medalist,' " Johns recalled later. "This is somebody with a history of focus and successful leadership, who's from this neighborhood and is committed to this project."

The committee approved the $3.5 million loan to buy the building and said details of the construction loan could be worked out later. The closing date was pushed to Jan. 24. Loan officer Renee Jakobs processed the paperwork faster than she had ever done before .

"Is there a piece of paper I can have that says we own?. . . . I just want

to walk away with something

that says it."

DEBORAH THOMAS

tenants association president

Jakobs took a taxi to a Thomas Circle law office for the closing, a foot-high stack of papers in her arms. She didn't normally go to closings, she said, but she wanted to be there for this one. The room was crowded with people -- among them Thomas, the tenants association president, in a bright-red wool coat; Treasurer Mitchell, equally vivid in a salmon-colored sweater; Lynch; O'Toole and his boss, Michael Diamond.

Rodriguez was there as well. He had quit his job as resident manager a few days earlier after a clash with the soon-to-be-former owners of the complex. He planned to move back into Capital Manor as soon as the tenants association assumed control and eventually launch his own small construction business.

Shyly, he unveiled a bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne and glass flutes. O'Toole then opened his own bag to reveal another bottle of bubbly and plastic cups. The attorneys reviewed the papers. Thomas began to sign. An hour later, the deal was done.

"Is there a piece of paper I can have that says we own?" Thomas asked. "I know they're going to send us a big package, but I just want to walk away with something that says it."

The deed and the settlement statement were photocopied, the champagne was uncorked. The attorneys insisted that Thomas, Mitchell and Rodriguez drink from the glass flutes.

"Tenants get the real deal?" Thomas joked.

"Not tenants -- owners," Diamond corrected her. "Owners get the real deal."

Tomorrow

Funds are delayed, the buildings deteriorate, some residents drop out. But finally, Capital Manor is reborn.

Online

Marian Siegel, executive director of Housing Counseling Services Inc., will be online at noon today to field questions and comments about affordable housing and tenant-purchase efforts. To see additional photos in this series, visithttp://www.washingtonpost.com/metro