NTS purchases lot for new student-built home

Northwest Technical School has determined the location of next year's Building Trades construction project.

NTS purchased the South Market Street lot for $23,000. Students will start building a new single-family residence there shortly after a new school year begins in August.

Building Trades was one of the first programs offered at NTS, and the new project will be house No. 42.

Students enrolled in the program, both adults and teens, will build virtually the entire residence, Only plumbing, concrete and electrical work are contracted out.

The lot is located just north of Hy-Vee and has a nice view of a nearby pond, features that NTS Director Jim Cassity hopes will help the new home sell quickly, as did last year's residence.

"It had a lot of interest from people, and next year's home will be similar in design," Cassity said.

The house will feature and open floor plan with three bedrooms and two baths. Proposed plans, not yet finalized, also call for a walk-out basement.

Cassity said construction should be completed sometime next spring, which is in line with the program's goal of finishing one house during each school year.

Anywhere from 12 to 15 students enroll in the Building Trades program annually. Participating students come from 14 area districts. The crew also includes adults seeking vocational training.

High school students who complete the program can earn both high school and college-level credits.

The homes are sold to the highest bidder following approval of the sale by the Maryville R-II Board of Education for approval.

A minimum bid is set in order to make sure the district at least breaks even. Any profits go back into the Building Trades program to cover costs associated with the following year's project.

Students who participate get a lot more out of the program that just academic credit, Cassity said.

"The students gain an understanding of all the intricacies that go into building a house," he said. "They also gain skills used in construction, the ability to use math concepts. They get a confidence as well as a sense of pride from seeing a house completed."