- November 25, 2024
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West Orange Habitat executive director Marilyn Hattaway addressed the crowd at the Nov 7 groundbreaking ceremony.
Habitat board members and city and community representatives scooped their shovels into the dirt to signify the official start of the Criswell Court homes.
The Rev. Tom Rutherford addressed the crowd at the Nov. 7 groundbreaking ceremony.
Board member Pat Woodhouse spoke on behalf of the West Orange Habitat For Humanity organization.
Winter Garden City Manager Mike Bollhoefer spoke of the Winter Garden vision and the city’s commitment to east Winter Garden.
Wes Beacham, pastor at Hope Church, praised God for the divine moment Saturday morning.
Wendy Proctor provided patriotic and inspiring music before and after the program.
West Orange Habitat For Humanity continued its pledge to provide decent housing for people in need with its recent groundbreaking on Center Street in east Winter Garden. The ceremony, held Saturday, Nov 7, actually launched the construction of a four-house community in Criswell Court — a mini community named for Bill Criswell, a founding member and longtime supporter of the local Habitat affiliate.
The groundbreaking was held at 275 Center St., the site of the future homes. The project on Center Street is a partnership between Habitat, the city of Winter Garden, Polis Institute, 321 Works and the residents of east Winter Garden, Habitat officials said.
“We have partnered with Mike Morrissey, an architect in the West Orange community, to design homes in keeping with the city vision to preserve the culture and history of this community,” Habitat officials said.
“No matter who we are or where we come from, everyone wants a decent life,” said Pat Woodhouse, Habitat board member, said during the program.
The keynote speaker was Pastor Wes Beacham of Hope Church.
“This is a divine moment that only God could put together,” he said. “We’re building on a solid foundation. We want to build something that lasts. … We’re not only building homes, we’re building lives.
“We’re building a legacy,” Beacham said.
City Manager Mike Bollhoefer shared the city’s commitment to the eastside vision and said many people are working together, both in the community and at City Hall, to bring the vision to fruition.
The focus for the next year will be on east Winter Garden, he said, including the refurbishment of apartments and a redesign that is anticipated to bring back a commercial strip.
One of the components of the city vision is affordable housing, including the Habitat houses.
Two one-story cottage homes will be built, each with 900 square feet, two bedrooms, one bath and a porch. The other two houses will be garden homes, with three or four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Construction on the energy-efficient homes will begin soon and finish in 2021 for four families who have demonstrated a housing need and qualify for affordable housing.
“Our outreach is growing rapidly, and we are delighted at the progress that’s been made so far in east Winter Garden” Hattaway said. “Our work transforms lives and breaks the cycle of poverty for generations to come. Thanks to the continued support of the city, community, donors and volunteers, dreams are becoming a reality for those in need.”
Besides Habitat and the city, other Golden Shovel supporters are Morrissey Design, June Engineering, Allen & Allen, Heichel Plumbing, Bright Future Electric, Apple Air, Whiting-Turner, Pilars, Miller’s Ale House and The Bond Foundation.
