Habitat for Humanity breaks ground on Watertown duplexes

11-11-25

Dodge County Board Supervisor Dave Frohling and Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation President and CEO Ben Wehmeier smile at the bright future in Watertown.

Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha-Jefferson-Rock Counties CEO Melissa Songco introduces speakers.

TIM SULLIVAN

tim@wdtimes.com

WATERTOWN — More workforce housing is coming to Watertown. And it will be built by the hands of those who ultimately live in it.

Habitat for Humanity will build six duplexes on West Main Street, just east of the Madison College campus in Watertown. A ceremonial ground breaking was held on a chilly Monday morning.

“We are just delighted to have this crowd on a kind of a chilly but sunny fall morning,” said Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha- Jefferson-Rock Counties CEO Melissa Songco. “It is just a joy to be here in Watertown.

“Here we are on a Monday breaking ground on our College Park community with ‘College Park’ a nod to our friends at Madison College. Super fun anda great, great time for Watertown. We want to support what Watertown’s been asking for for a long time. Workforce housing or affordable housing.”

Several other dignitaries spoke. That included those directly involved in the project, such as Madison College president Jennifer Berne, whose institution donated the land for the project, and Habitat Director of Development Sue Vock. It also included elected officials like Mayor Robert Stocks and Dodge County Supervisor Dave Frohling.

Ben Wehmeier, who serves as the President and CEO of Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation and as a board member for Habitat also noted the importance of affordable housing to make not just an affordable community, but one that sees better outcomes for education and economic prosperity.

“If you’re a neighbor in this community, think about how you can welcomethese families, look at mentorship opportunities for the kiddos, or simplyshow up and lend a hand to hand to the builds going forward,” he said.

“So this project is not just a Habitat project. It’s just not a foundation’s project. This is a community project together to create measured impacts forour families, our kids, and a community to create homes for the future.”

The project is slated for completion in late spring 2026.