Fannie Turner, center, waves shortly after the ribbon-cutting for her new home.
GAINESVILLE - A dedication ceremony was held recently for a house that was built for an elderly, disabled woman in a partnership involving the state Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the city of Gainesville, and students from the Gainesville High School Construction Department. <br />
<br />
Fannie Tanner had applied to the city for assistance with repairs to her home through its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). <br />
<br />
Theresa Dyer, Housing Coordinator for the city's Community Development Department, said after a review of the application, it was determined that the house was too dilapidated to repair. So, the focus at that time shifted from repairs to a possible demolition of the existing structure and construction of a new house, funded by (DCA).<br />
<br />
At that point, Dyer said, the city began seeking a contractor that would be willing to incorporate the use of students from Gainesville High School Construction Department as laborers. The contract was awarded to Bryant Builders, LLC.<br />
<br />
From demolition to the ribbon-cutting, the construction portion of the new house located on Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard took just over two-and-a-half months, according to Dyer.