New Energy-Efficient Homes Being Constructed in Waukesha

Editor’s Note: The following information came from a news release from Tim O’Brien Homes.  

Groundbreaking on new, energy-efficient homes on the site of the former Waukesha YWCA building began with a formal ceremony late last week.

The two-acre site is being transformed into affordable, green housing with construction of new single-family and two-family homes,  according to a news release.

The Waukesha YWCA building was shut down in 2004 after being open for 84 years. The building and site was demolished in May 2010.

The city of Waukesha and Waukesha County received a $904,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s neighborhood stabilization grant in late 2009.

Tim O’Brien Homes broke ground on the first of three single-family homes constructed by the Waukesha-based builder. The ceremony was attended by City of Waukesha Mayor, Jeff Scrima; Waukesha County Executive, Dan Vrakas; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Region V Administrator Antonio Riley (previously the Director of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority); and City of Waukesha Redevelopment Authority Chairman, Mike Ward from US Bank – who all spoke in regards to the Dunbar Oaks Neighborhood Project, the release states.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held in Waukesha at the Dunbar Oaks Neighborhood at 320 N. West Ave.

 “This is a significant development adding to the quality and the revitalization of the City of Waukesha,” said Community Development Director Steve Crandell.  “This is a unique opportunity to build new homes that will add value to a long established neighborhood and revitalize a blighted property.”

Tim O'Brien Homes, a certified Green Built™ and Wisconsin ENERGY STAR® home builder, was selected by the Waukesha Redevelopment Authority to build three single-family homes which will be certified by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Green Building Program™ in the Dunbar Oaks Neighborhood. All the homes constructed will carry the certification. In addition to the Green Certification, Tim O’Brien Homes is striving to attain “Emerald” certification status, which would the first Emerald-qualified home in the State of Wisconsin through the NAHB Green Building Program.

“We are honored to be part of this project to bring affordable green homes to the City of Waukesha,” said Tim O’Brien, president of Tim O’Brien Homes. “Given our green building philosophy, it is a natural progression for Tim O’Brien Homes to build in a revitalized neighborhood.”

When complete, Dunbar Oaks Neighborhood will feature eight single-family homes and three two-family condominiums.