FREEPORT — Mikki Cote and her 6-year-old son Eli have a new home thanks to the efforts of L.L. Bean, the town of Freeport, Habitat for Humanity and local volunteers.

The third Habitat house in Freeport, fondly named the “Green Bean,” was donated by L.L. Bean in 2008, and moved from its original lot on Cross Street. The town, with the help of Town Planner Donna Larson, donated a lot for the house.

The home was taken apart, its materials were recycled, and it was put back together at 12 West St.

Dan Wallace, former construction manager of the house, said the frame, front door, staircase and flooring were salvaged from the original house. With added insulation, energy efficient windows and low air flow, the home is now considered environmentally sound.

“We were excited about turning this house into something new,” he said.

Cote and her son moved into their home July 20.

“(Habitat) is not done with me. I am going to continue to be involved,” she said. “These people have become my family, some of my best friends. The process was difficult, but was such an awesome time.”

Habitat Executive Director Steven Bolton said while a home remodeling job is difficult and not economically efficient, the Cote house was worth the time and effort.

“We are not home builders, but builders of homes,” he said. “This house was built based in partnerships.”

The Freeport Rotary, the Habitat Steering Committee, local businesses and hundreds of volunteers made it possible, he said. 

“Habitat homes don’t happen by themselves, it takes a community,” Bolton said.

Amy Anderson can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 110 or aanderson@theforecaster.net

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Mikki Cote and her son Eli led tours on Tuesday, Aug. 24, at the Habitat for Humanity home they moved into last month. The home was built with the help of L.L. Bean, the town of Freeport, Habitat for Humanity and volunteers.