Habitat starts new building project today
Two families will turn over the first shovels of dirt on their new homes today when Habitat for Humanity of
the Flathead Valley holds a groundbreaking ceremony in Columbia Falls.
Two families will turn over the first shovels of dirt on their new homes today when Habitat for Humanity of the Flathead Valley holds a groundbreaking ceremony in Columbia Falls.
The community is invited to be on hand at 4 p.m. to help celebrate with the families, project donors, city officials and Habitat workers.
Habitat president Susan Okonsky and executive director Jane Leivo will lead a program to introduce the project, the first of five or six lots on the site in the Mosquito Flats area of town that Habitat will develop into affordable housing over the next year or two. The sixth lot will be developed if Habitat can get the fill to bring it within flood-plain limits.
At the ground-breaking, there will be live music by Claiming America, cake and plenty of recognition.
To reach the site, follow U.S. 2 east past Nucleus Avenue, then turn north on Third Avenue East. Follow that to the dead end to the Habitat lots, just around the corner on Fourth Street.
Dewayne and Stacy Robinson, and their two young sons, will move from Evergreen to the first of the two homes. Kip and Kristi McKessick of Whitefish, with four children ages 9 to 14, will live in the second home.
A 14-week build is planned on their homes, beginning June 17.
Between 10 and 15 volunteers are needed to help the families build the homes every Saturday. Individuals or groups interested in volunteering - Scouts, businesses and youth missions are some that Leivo suggested - may call volunteer coordinator Jackie Neumiller at 212-0800. Habitat will provide all tools and training.
A third family already has been chosen for the third home - Ron and Lucy Nutzman of Columbia Falls, who have five children ages 2 through 10. Leivo said Habitat hopes to break ground on that home next January.
Nearly everything needed to get to this point has been donated or provided at reduced cost, Leivo said.
The city of Columbia Falls donated the land to Habitat in 2004, provided the nonprofit could develop the lots to city standards.
Streets, sewer and water now are in place for all six lots, funded by a grant from the Peter Tracy Family Foundation. Bruce Weaver of Weaver Gravel worked with Dan Tintzman of KB Engineers to put in those utilities.
Schellinger Construction donated the tip trucks, and Carlson Sand and Gravel donated two days of work along with the fill.
Midway Rental provided all heavy equipment needed, and helped Habitat get a 20-foot container to keep on the site.
Datum Drafting Design donated a full set of house plans, and Plum Creek Timber will donate lumber for one of the houses.
Reporter Nancy Kimball can be reached at 758-4483 or by e-mail at nkimball@dailyinterlake.com