Contractors blitz New Town to build, renovate 50 homes

Friday, June 13, 10:49 AM EDT

By Carole Hawkins, Staff Writer

On Wednesday, a morning team installing trim finished just in time for an afternoon crew to start painting.

Ive been double-checking schedules and making many phone calls this week, said Merten, Jacksonville division vice president for Toll Brothers, a Pennsylvania-based homebuilder.

What would be bad is if someone didnt show up, he said. Thankfully everyones been here on time.

Merten is one of more than 30 homebuilders and subcontractors leading projects for HabiJaxs Builders Blitz. More than 1,500 volunteers also participated in the weeklong event to build 25 homes and renovate 25 others in New Town.

Its HabiJaxs second Builders Blitz since the recession and the first in which Builders Care, the nonprofit arm of the Northeast Florida Builders Association, has returned as a partner to renovate old homes.

Its been a challenge for builders like Toll Brothers short-staffed and keen to capitalize on a long-awaited market recovery to spare workforce for the charity build. But Merten seemed to be enjoying the pressure.

Its different to work for free. Its fun to help out, he said. This is a beautiful area. It just needs some support.

One pair of hands helping Merten belongs to Alysa Booth, a 23-year old technical support specialist for Citigroup. Booth will move into the home at the end of the week. She didnt qualify when she applied for a home loan through a bank, but did qualify for HabiJaxs zero-interest loan program.

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Contractors blitz New Town to build, renovate 50 homes