HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Ben Miller, owner of Stutzman Greenhouse based in Pleasantview, wanted to expand his business. But the space he needed was occupied by a house on the corner of the lot. “It was a beautiful home that Irvin Stutzman, founder of Stutzman Greenhouse built with his own hands to raise his family in.” stated Jeff Thomson, Interfaith Housing Services’ Projects Coordinator. Wanting to conserve the structure, Miller reached out to Interfaith Housing Services to see if they would be interested in receiving it as a donation and rehabilitating the home to serve the community’s needs.

Moving a house can be a logistical feat. After it’s inspected to ensure the structure is sturdy enough to move, the house had to be lifted with special jacks, placed on steel beams that are supported by hydraulic dollies, hooked up to a truck and transported. Usually, it takes a day or two to load the house, a day to move and another day to set the home on its new foundation. “We had to take all the costs associated with the move and rehabilitation to ensure it would be feasible to accomplish,” said Thomson.

After consideration, IHS agreed to accept the donation of the home. It was moved Tuesday to a new lot, where its foundation was awaiting at 1327 E. Avenue A. During the moving process, Highway 50 heading east was be shut down so the house could safely travel to its new location.

At 32’ wide, the house is larger than the highway. Therefore, the semi-truck and trailer have to move at slow speeds – 5 mph, power lines were raised and the Reno County Sheriff and Hutchinson Police Departments helped stop traffic. The house traveled Highway 50 to Airport Road, come west on Avenue G and will rest at the corner of Avenue A and Lorraine. “People talk about being green and recycling,” says Holly Thomas, Director of Development for IHS. “Well reusing a house, now that’s recycling.”

“I’m happy that a house with a lot of history and character, rather than being torn down, is being put to use by someone who can appreciate it,” said Thomson.

Interfaith Housing Services continues to find ways to reuse old homes and give them new life. This is a two phase project; the first phase is moving the home and the second is the rehabilitation. It will be developed into two units of quality rental housing reserved for veterans. The layout of the house is suitable for a duplex, and this will maximize the use of the property for veterans in the Hutchinson community. IHS will use a combination of purchased, discounted and donated materials for the project. IHS will use volunteer labor whenever possible.

Here is a link to watch video of the move. https://www.facebook.com/InterfaithHousingServices/#