Habitat, Bechtel Power Break Ground for Two Townhouses

George Wenschhof

Threatening skies Saturday afternoon could not damper the enthusiasm on display as many local elected officials joined Habitat for Humanity and Bechtel Power for the groundbreaking ceremony.

Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, Maryland Executive Director Ron Cramer spoke of how the project will ".. provide new homes for two families, .. and is a wonderful example of a private-public partnership."

Lee Lushbaugh of Bechtel added over 200 Bechtel employees have already been working on constructing the townhomes at an area warehouse. It is anticipated the townhomes will be transported to The City of Frederick site located at 20-22 West 7th Street in May.

Frederick County Commissioner Billy Shreve, state senator Ron Young and city alderman Kelly Russell also expressed their support, prior to the official shovel, hard hat and dirt flying photo-op.

Young pointed out how the townhomes will be a marked improvement over what had been at the location and will be a good compliment to the neighborhood. He added he hoped consideration would be given to using energy saving construction as had been done with Hope VI.

Habitat for Humanity has a long history of building homes for families in need and obtained national visibility when former president Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosaline became volunteers at a Habitat project in New York City in 1984.

Since, being founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity International and volunteers have built over 500,000 homes for 2.5 million people in close to 80 countries.

The Frederick affiliate was founded in 1993 by Church Women United. Since 1995, 31 homes have been built or renovated.

More information about Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County can be found at info@frederickhabitat.org

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