AMHERST — For many years, a prominent 1850s farmhouse at the Hawthorne Farm was both a residence and a popular farmstand featuring local produce.
Seven years after the town purchased the dilapidated property, and nearly four years since the original home and barns were demolished, the site is again being put to use as two families prepare to move into a new Habitat for Humanity duplex.
Tim Barnes and his two daughters, and the family of Terrence and Catrina Benoit, are expected to relocate to the new home built at 235 East Pleasant St. later this month, said Megan McDonough, executive director of the Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity.
A dedication June 4 brought to a close the work done over the past two years by volunteers and professional contractors to get the project complete on budget and on time, McDonough said.
The town of Amherst spent $320,000 to make the duplex a reality, with $150,000 used to acquire the house lot, $90,000 in Community Development Block Grant money to demolish the structures and clear the land, and $80,000 in Community Preservation Act partially fund the home’s construction.
“The town was the single biggest supporter of this project,” McDonough said.
Select Board member Connie Kruger said the town showed a financial commitment and praised Assistant Town Manager David Ziomek and Senior Planner Nate Malloy for their roles in shepherding the project forward.
“At the end of the day it’s about families’ stability and pride of homeownership,” Kruger said.
Barnes said in a statement that his two young daughters are ready to call Amherst home.
“This has been such a positive and good transition for them,” Barnes said.
Each family will buy their homes for $135,000 and a condominium association will be set up, McDonough said. The homes remain affordable in perpetuity.
Both families provided sweat equity, and major in-kind support was provided by students from Smith Vocational and Agricultural School in Northampton, who did the plumbing work, Yankee Home Improvement, which donated and installed siding, roof shingles and windows, Wagner Wood, which cleared the property, and Rich Chenevert, who handled the electrical wiring.
A regular volunteer crew was led by Walt Kohler, and other volunteers dropped by on occasion, including one for women-build week.
Cowls Building Supply, Credit Data Services Inc. Fund of The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, Florence Bank and Bike & Build all provided donations or sold materials at below cost.
As one project finishes, work continues toward another duplex in North Amherst on land owned by the Amherst Community Land Trust. McDonough said she anticipates a wall-raising ceremony in July.
A single-family home is also being built in Greenfield, with applications for families interested due June 15.
The Hawthorne duplex is the eighth Habitat home in Amherst, following four on Stanley Street, one on Belchertown Road, one on Pomeroy Lane and one on Charles Lane.
Since 1989, Pioneer Valley Habitat has completed homes for 39 low-wage earning families in Hampshire and Franklin counties.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.