JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- When you walk through the gate of 1035 Arco Drive in Arlington, you are greeted by the sound of wind chimes, the sight of colorful flowers and bird houses.

But four years ago, the housing property was anything but inviting.

"It was bad, but I saw a lot of potential in it," said Manase Butabe, who developed the property.

The blighted area wasn't a deterrent for Butabe, a Romanian immigrant whose American dream is real estate.

Butabe said he had a hard time financing the place but finally secured a loan with First Guaranty Bank. He soon understood why banks had been wary.

"A lot of drug dealers, the neighborhood was shady," Butabe said.

The tenants didn't pay their rent. Bills added up, and after a year, the bank threatened foreclosure.

At the point Butabe faced foreclosure, he could have decided that he was in over his head. But he didn't.

Instead, he decided that this building and the community were worth fighting for, and that's when he and his bank worked together to really make a difference.

"We decided that his commitment was really worth our effort," said Matt Maynor, with First Guaranty Bank.

Butabe and the bank came up with a plan to get him current. He worked with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office to increase police presence, reached out to the other neighboring landlords and literally cleaned up the place.

"I lived in Jacksonville over 20 years, and this was a rough area before," Maynor said. "There was drugs and crime, and (Butaba) worked with the local owners and police force to get it cleaned up."

Butabe is proud of what he and the bank accomplished. He lives on the property, called Butabe Place, himself and said it is like an extended family.

"I grew up in a family, and I believe the more you talk with people, the more they respect you," Butabe said.

Now his tenants have peace of mind and a real stake in their neighborhood.

Butabe said that if people take anything from his story, it's that you can take control and take back your communities. It's just a matter of care, effort and pride.