August 8, 2012

A new community center in Franklin will not only serve a neighborhood, but also honor a young man's life.

The new Hard Bargain community center will be dedicated on Saturday.
    
Ty Osman can sense his son's legacy in the walls of an old house.

"It's amazing to us how just a regular kid, his life just keeps going on," says Osman, Sr.

In March 2012, 18 year old Ty Osman, Jr. was killed in Texas in a tragic car accident
    
The Brentwood teen got out of his vehicle to help friends who'd been rear-ended, when he was hit.

Now, a new project honors Ty's memory.

"He'd be blown away if he could realize what's being done in his name and this house for sure," says Osman, Sr.

Workers are building a new community center and offices for the Hard Bargain Association.
   
The African-American neighborhood is being reborn, and Ty's family has helped organize volunteers and donations for the effort.

The house was built in the 1890's, and for decades it was home to the cemetery caretaker.  It's why it has always been known as the "cemetery house."

For years the house sat vacant and falling apart, but now it is given new life.

"These people that have done this for free, they've donated their services, their material, their time," says Brant Bousquet, Executive Director of the Hard Bargain Association.
   
Brant Bousquet oversees the Hard Bargain Association. He says the neighborhood has wanted a community center for a long time, and now the Osman family is helping to make it happen.

"It's wonderful that we're getting the house renovated, but what's even more incredible is the purpose behind it all," says Bousquet.

Ty Osman says his son was always eager to serve others.
   
Now his family is helping to serve, even after he's gone.

"It's come back to life in a new way, so that's what we're looking forward to with our son, as we know we're going to see him again," says Osman.

The Osman's are organizing a huge volunteer project this Saturday.
        
More than 300 people, many of them Ty's friends, are expected to put the finishing touches on the new community center and hold a dedication.
     
It all starts at 8 a.m.

For news updates follow John Dunn on twitter @WZTVJohnDunn
Community Center Honors Teen's Life - John Dunn