Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is beginning some site work this week on a new development on St. Paul's east side.
President and CEO Chris Coleman says the first phase involves 74 units on two city blocks.
"This is by far the biggest project that Twin Cities Habitat has ever undertaken by a scale of five fold," explains Coleman. "We'll end up building almost 150 units of single family homes, duplexes, you know, quads. But ownership units for low income families."
It's on St. Paul's east side, on the site of the former Hillcrest Golf Course, which will encompass a larger development called "The Heights."
Coleman says another Habitat event in September will bring in Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, as well as a load of volunteers.
"We have a lot of work to do because we're hosting, starting September 29th, the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project, which I call the Super Bowl of affordable housing," Coleman says. "We'll have Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood building on site for a week. We'll have over 4000 volunteers."
The St. Paul Port Authority is leading the broader $750-million redevelopment effort at The Heights. The 112-acre site is the home of the former Hillcrest Golf Course at Larpenteur Avenue and McKnight Road. The project will not only address housing needs but will also have a unique emphasis on environmental sustainability. The Heights is designed to be an all-electric community seeking LEED-Platinum Certification.
Low income families who qualify can apply for a Habitat home at The Heights online here.