Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region announced on Wednesday that a groundbreaking date is officially on the books for a long-awaited housing development slated for Bugai Road in Elmwood Township. That development, a partnership between Habitat and New Waves United Church of Christ, will ultimately build 14 new affordable homes to Leelanau County. After several delays, the project will officially kick off on Tuesday, October 10 at 3pm.

Habitat and New Waves first announced their plans to build affordable housing at the corner of Bugai Road and M-72 in May 2022. As the Leelanau Ticker reported earlier this year, though, rising construction costs have posed a few challenges for the development.

Now, though, a groundbreaking date has finally been scheduled. According to a press release from Habitat, construction crews plan to “put shovels in the ground for the first homes to be built” on October 10. Basic site work for the development – including roads, drainage, and a well – is already in place.

The groundbreaking ceremony is open to the public, and will feature members of the Habitat and New Wave teams, as well as Leelanau County officials and “the first two New Haves Habitat homeowners.” Those interested in attending are encouraged to register online ahead of time.