Habitat to dedicate duplex on Friday

Habitat For Humanity of Flathead Valley will dedicate the first of eight duplexes they're building on Truck Route in Columbia Falls this Friday, Nov. 11, at 3 p.m.

"The public is welcome, it's a community event," Habitat safety coordinator Chris Zahasky said. "We'll be celebrating the close of the first chapter of a four-year project that will culminate in 16 units altogether."

Ariana Templin and Katie Miller, single moms with two grade-school children each, will move in to the units by Dec. 1, according to Habitat site supervisor Steve Tartaglino.

Different companies show up on Wednesdays to help Templin and Miller, who along with friends and family will contribute 500 hours of sweat equity into the homes.

Volunteers from Century 21 Whitefish Land Office showed up on Nov. 2 to assist with trim work and laying vinyl and wood parquet flooring.

Much of the infrastructure for the eight-duplex subdivision is in place, thanks to work and materials donated by Schellinger Construction Co. Crews from Schellinger were moving landscaping soil around on Nov. 2, while subcontractor Corpron and Corpron poured concrete for front porches.

The foundation and underground plumbing are already in place for the next duplex, and Tartaglino said the slab could be poured in a few weeks. A crane will then drop all the prefabricated walls in place, Tyvek wrapping and a special roof felt will be stapled on, and the next building should be sealed in before the end of the year, Tartaglino said.

The value of the units are difficult to say without an appraisal, Tartaglino said, but the estimated cost of each unit, including the land and subdivision improvements, is about $100,000 apiece.