Habitat breaks ground on new neighborhood

Habitat for Humanity of Dane County broke ground on a new 12-house neighborhood, Tennyson Ridge, on Madison’s north side on Tuesday, April 24. The homes will be located on Tennyson and Eliot Lanes, close to Lake View Elementary School. This affordable-housing neighborhood is made possible by a $250,000 donation from Old National Bank, which has 14 locations throughout Dane County. Golden shovels were used to kick off the building process by John Stofflet from NBC15 Madison, Old National Bank Wisconsin Region CEO Len Devaisher, State Rep. Melissa Agard Sargent, Dane County Supervisor Michele Ritt, Madison Fire Department Chief Steven Davis, Old National Bank EVP of Corporate Social Responsibility Kathy Schoettlin, Lake View Elementary School Principal Kristi Kloos, Lake View Elementary School Outdoor Classroom Coordinator Susan Hobart, Groundswell Conservancy Director of Giving Heidi Habeger, Habitat Vice Chair Barbara Robbins, and Habitat for Humanity of Dane County CEO Valerie Johnson Renk. Habitat first started looking at this property four years ago and was able to purchase the land last summer. Habitat originally purchased 14 lots but sold two lots at cost to the Groundswell Conservancy to expand Lake View Elementary School’s outdoor classroom. This will allow students to explore the outdoors in the area adjacent to the school and learn about nature in ways they otherwise couldn’t. On May 1, Old National Bank staff rolled up their sleeves to build the frame for the first Habitat home for Tennyson Ridge. They turned their East Towne Boulevard parking lot into a temporary construction site and built all of the interior and exterior walls for the home that will be located at 1912 Tennyson Lane. That home will be going to a hard-working mom, Kala, and her two sons. For information on getting your event featured in the IB Gallery, email jason@ibmadison.com.)