LAWRENCE — A peal of laughter wafted down from the second floor. Footsteps echoed on the stairs. On the first floor, there was talk of kitchens and living rooms.

For an hour or so on Monday, 124-126 Phillips St. in Lawrence was less a construction site and more of a glimpse into what life will be like for two veterans and their families who will be living there in a few more months.

The cheery yellow duplex is the product of the first Merrimack Valley Habitat for Humanity veterans build, a home built specifically for veterans and their families.

And on Monday, Joseph Maldonado and Isidoro Velazquez Jimenez, the two veterans whose families will be living in the duplex, were on hand to give several state and local officials a tour of their soon-to-be home. Among them were Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, state Sen. Barbara L'Italien, D-Andover, and Francisco Urena, secretary of the Department of Veterans' Services for the state.

“I'm excited,” Urena said, grinning as he leaned between two beams on the second floor. “It's important that we celebrate veterans, but it's also important to celebrate their transition home and there's no better way to do that than projects like these.”

Making progress

Progress is ongoing at the Phillips Street build, with the bulk of the work now focusing on the interior as the weather turns colder.

While siding is up on the exterior and windows are in place, wooden beams outline rooms-to-be inside. Ladders rest against unfinished walls. 

Randy Larson, executive director for Merrimack Valley Habitat, said upcoming interior work would include putting up sheet rock and drywall, painting, and installing appliances, tile and other types of floor materials.

“It's still pretty rough inside. I wouldn't say we're starting from square one inside, but a lot of interior work has yet to start,” he said, adding, “We'll get some sort of a heater in there so we can do interior work in the winter.”

Volunteers are currently splitting time between a duplex build on Margin Street and the veterans build. Larson said his organization hopes to wrap up the Margin Street build by January, after which “we can really pour everything we have into this veterans build.”

Given the current timeline, Larson hopes to get an occupancy permit for the Phillips Street building by May. Water and sewer connection is expected to be done after the winter – though it could cost more than initially budgeted because the manhole is farther down the street than anticipated, Larson said.

“It's probably about a normal rate for a Habitat build. We got a boost from some professionals, roofers and a plumber for one of the units, and it's almost always a case that professional contractors can do a part of a build faster than your average volunteer group,” Larson said.

All in all, though, he thinks the build is "going pretty on schedule."

“If we can get them in by May, I think it'll be a grand celebration," Larson said.

The two veterans who will be living in the duplex, Maldonado and Velazquez, have also been continuing to put in their “sweat equity” hours on the home, helping with everything from framing to siding to fencing.

While progress can seem a bit slow at times, the two veterans remain upbeat and excited about the prospect of moving in.

Velazquez said those working on his home are “doing a great job.”

“It's very solid construction,” he said.

'A great opportunity'

From the master bedroom on the second floor to the workshop in the basement, Maldonado has a pretty clear plan for the interior of his new home.

And even though it's mostly wood right now, Maldonado was jovial as he showed off each room to Urena and L'Italien. He started with the living room and kitchen toward the front entrance before heading toward the rear of the first floor.

“Me and my wife decided to open it up and have a family room, it's going to be a little crowded because we have small kids,” he said.

At one point during the tour, Maldonado repeated what he's being saying for months about the Habitat for Humanity home: “It's been a blessing.”

Velazquez was also on hand as officials walked through his side of the duplex.

“You look very proud and we're very proud for you,” Urena told Velazquez as the two stood at the top of the stairs on the second floor.

Noting that “homeownership is a great opportunity,” Urena praised the partnership between Merrimack Valley Habitat and the veterans organizations that made that opportunity possible for Maldonado and Velazquez.

“It's not a handout at the end of the day, it's something they truly have to put some sweat equity into that property to make it their own home, and that empowerment is what makes them great homeowners,” Urena said.

Tsongas said it's sometimes “not so simple,” for returning veterans to find their path forward.

“It's important to honor their service and recognize that they, like anybody, would like to be homeowners and find a way to make that happen,” she said.

Tsongas also said it was important for the two families to be able to become homeowners in the community that they've built their lives in over the years.

L'Italien was similarly positive about the project, noting that her nephew and his children had also been recipients of a Habitat for Humanity home.

“Whenever Habitat gets involved we know good things happen,” L'Italien said.

While Maldonado and Velazquez won't be moving in just yet, Lawrence District F City Councilor Marc Laplante, whose district includes the Phillips Street home, made sure to extend a warm hand in welcome on Monday.

“Welcome to the neighborhood,” he told the two veterans in front of the gathered officials. “I'm glad that you're here.”