March 18, 2024

Newton homebuilding project moving forward

The Newton Housing Development Corporation has finalized construction loan agreements with Ground Breaker Homes, LLC on five lots in northeast Newton’s Fairmeadows North subdivision.

The Clive-based homebuilder recently began clearing the lots and digging foundations, with framing slated to begin in late October.

“We are extremely excited about this new housing project in Newton, and look forward to working with everyone at Ground Breaker to build and market five beautiful new homes to prospective buyers,” Jennifer Cook, NHDC president, said.

Cook noted that Ground Breaker Homes will build three ranch style homes and a pair of two-story homes on North Sixth Avenue East and East 25th and 26th Streets North, just west of Agnes Patterson Park.

According to Ground Breaker Homes’ construction schedule, the homes will be roofed and sided by Jan. 1, 2016, with interior work completed during the upcoming winter months. The homes are scheduled to be finished and ready to be shown to the public on or before April 1, 2016.

“We are thrilled to be building homes in Newton,” said Becky Rozenboom, project manager for Ground Breaker Homes. “It’s a great community, with so many assets and positive trends, and we look forward to building quality homes at affordable prices for the market.”

The Fairmeadows North subdivision provides many amenities for residents in the area, including a paved hike and bike path directly into Newton’s largest public park, with BC Berg Elementary and Middle School a short walking distance from Ground Breaker’s new homes. Area homeowners also have easy access to major highways, including Interstate 80.

Buyers for the five new homes will be eligible to receive the City of Newton’s $10,000 homebuyer cash incentive upon closing, as well the NHDC “Get to Know Newton” Welcome Package of local products and services, valued at nearly $4,000.

“NHDC’s mission is to promote quality housing within the City of Newton, and we will continue working on all our existing projects,” Cook said. “That includes Fountain Hills Estates, Eastgate Meadows, the Miller-Valentine Newton Place Apartments, the First Avenue Home Improvement Program, as well as assisting with downtown second-story housing.”

The Newton City Council approved up to $2 million dollars for the project at a June 1 meeting.

“We have put a lot of work to get to where we are today. We are fortunate enough to have a city council with a comprehensive plan as a guidance to see the need to help move construction along,” Mayor Mike Hansen said. “What we have been facing time and time again with other contractors was that they didn’t see the market. So this was a way with our collaboration with NHDC and our other stakeholders to get together and move a program forward in older to get buildings started in our community and hopefully we will be successful.”

Additional information about NHDC may be obtained by visiting the nonprofit corporation's website at www.newtonhdc.org, or on the organization's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/newtonhousingdevelopment, with information about Ground Breaker Homes available on the company's website at http://www.GroundBreakerHomes.com.