Since acquiring Legacy House in 2017, Eco3 staff, volunteers, and contractors have been rehabilitating the building as part of Eco3’s efforts to tackle blight and revitalize the community. Ultimately, Legacy House will be a home for four AmeriCorps VISTA members each year and serve as a vital affordable housing option. AmeriCorps members are offered a living allowance and a housing stipend that per month while they serve local nonprofit organizations during their year of service and finding suitable and affordable housing is often challenging. This is the gap that Legacy House aims to fill.
Rehabilitation of Legacy House has been on-going since 2018. You can read and see its progress over the years on our website. Eco3 has relied heavily on volunteers and apprenticeship programs to handle major parts of the renovation, with the Carpenters Training Institute and the Carpenters Local 361 providing a tremendous amount of support. From basement and concrete work, to load bearing, framing, windows, and decking, they have offered countless hours to this project.
Updates to the Structure, Wiring, and Plumbing
Our latest work has been to conduct load-bearing retrofits, complete the rough-in electrical and plumbing, and conduct exterior masonry work, all with help from BZ Electric, the Carpenters Training Institute, Carlson Duluth, and Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps.
Prepping for the HVAC System
Eco3’s Energy Program is aligning its offerings with the national effort to electrify America. To that end, Legacy House, originally heated by coal and most recently heated with natural gas, will become fully electric for both heating and cooling! In a design-build effort with Carlson Duluth and system review by Minnesota Power, we are installing an electric air source heat pump HVAC system. From a technical standpoint, this fully ducted, cold climate/hyper-heat system is rated to temperatures of -13 degrees F. For the small percentage of days and nights when the temperature drops below that temperature and the heat pump becomes less efficient, a supplementary heating element will kick in to provide an extra heating boost. We are grateful to Minnesota Power for supporting the project with funds from its Energy Partners program.
You Can Help Support the Project
Overall, Legacy House has already become a legacy of support and goodwill from local organizations, companies, staff and years of AmeriCorps member contributions. Thank you to all our on-site contributors and our distant well-wishers! As we continue to make strides to complete this project, we will document the journey and share it with you. To financially support this effort, please donate here.