Old Third Townhomes under construction thanks to Habitat volunteers

This is an eight townhome complex that will be the first of its kind in Northeast Minneapolis. It will complete a long redevelopment process of previously vacant land. Leading this site are supervisors Terra Lumley and Chad Formo, and AmeriCorps members Mike Peterson and Chris Mickelson.

Updates by Mike Peterson

June 10, 2011
Work has been underway for a couple of weeks on the Third Avenue project in Northeast Minneapolis. The site was excavated and the foundation has been placed, getting it ready for volunteers to start next Monday. Work for the week ahead will include capping the foundation and installing floor trusses. When completed, eight families will achieve their dream of affordable homeownership.

June 20, 2011
Much has happened on the build in last several days. Eager volunteers have kept up pace even when the weather elements tried to slow them down. The first floor trusses have been completed, and the flooring and walls have started to go in. Everyday, homebuyers have worked on site to fulfill their sweat equity hours. They have not only enjoyed learning about construction, but they have also taken this as an opportunity to meet their new neighbors.

July 15, 2011
As week four wraps up it’s amazing to see how far the build has come. Having finished placing all of the second story trusses (with a little help from the forklift) and then decking over them, volunteers and staff have been able to raise a few walls upstairs. Installing extra fire protection between the units adds an additional step to the process. With up to 40 volunteers on site daily, it’s been great to see the build progress so quickly. Six of the eight families who will buy these homes have already been selected and cannot wait to move in.

October 10, 2011
More than three dozen business executives and civic leaders volunteered on a Habitat townhome project in Northeast Minneapolis on October 10. They split into three groups to frame garages, put up sheetrock and paint at the 3rd Avenue Townhomes. See all the pictures here on flickr.

The CEOs worked alongside Habitat homebuyers and heard from one of them during lunch. This was the tenth annual CEO Build for Twin Cities Habitat and its largest yet.