Newsletter:  May 2006 a "I really enjoy building a dream home for a customer," says Syd Kelly of Syd G. Kelly Construction, Inc. "We've been working on and off here for about ten years," says Bill Zeeb, LeDuc & Dexter Commercial Manager, referring to Windsor Palm Shopping Center. LeDuc & Dexter, Inc. has once again partnered with Sonoma National Bank to sponsor a house that will be rehabilitated for 90-year old Marie Frazee under the supervision of the non-profit organization Rebuilding Together.

Syd G. Kelly Construction, Inc.

Residential

Even though it's still under construction this custom home built by Syd G. Kelly Construction, Inc. on Golf View Terrace near Bennett Valley Golf Course has a regal aura. (click image to enlarge)

Syd Kelly of Syd G. Kelly Construction, Inc. has a long working relationship with LeDuc & Dexter, Inc. "We've been working together since 1984," says Kelly, who became a general contractor in 1979. In the early days Kelly did framing and then spec homes on the side followed by residential subdivisions. When he started building custom homes Kelly found the thing he really wanted to do, "I really enjoy building a dream home for a customer. I find it very satisfying to give a homeowner everything they want in a home, and always end up with a new family for a friend."

"I'm usually working on two or three homes a year," says Kelly, who has three projects in the Santa Rosa area currently under construction. One is a large custom home near Bennett Valley Golf Course, another custom home in Windsor and the other is a smaller home in the West End Historical District behind Railroad Square. The large homes are definitely someone's dream home and Kelly will keep the small home as a rental.

Golf View Terrace home from different angle looks nestled in the hillside. (click image to enlarge)

This home, built by Syd G. Kelly Construction, Inc., is part of the revitalization of the West End Historical District in Santa Rosa. (click image to enlarge)

Since he has been building custom homes Kelly has come to rely on a group of subcontractors that include LeDuc & Dexter, Wiggins Electric, Simpson Sheet Metal and other local "home grown" subs. "I know what to expect from them and they all go the extra mile. If I get in a situation where I really need a favor I can pick up the phone and call them and they help me out. I've always been happy with LeDuc & Dexter", says Kelly, "I send my customers over to Jim Kempers and he helps them pick out their plumbing fixtures on the Internet and then they e-mail me their choices."

Even though it seems that Syd Kelly has settled on building custom homes exclusively, he has a new 117- home subdivision project in Lakeport coming up and another small subdivision in Santa Rosa. Kelly will be building a 14-unit project on Aston Ave. off Petaluma Hill Road. These homes will feature detached granny units. Aside from that, it's still a pretty sure thing that Kelly will still find time to build more dream homes along the way.

Windsor Palms Shopping Center

Commercial

This new two-story shell built by Koch Construction will be the new home of El Toro Supermarket and other tenants at the Windsor Palm Shopping Center. (click image to enlarge)

LeDuc & Dexter's commercial department is in the process of completing a two-story shell in the Windsor Palms Shopping Center. The ground floor, which is 12,400 square feet in size, will become the new home for the El Toro Supermarket and two other tenants, Rosie's Nails and Hunt Medical.

The top floor has a total of 8,400 square feet with a surrounding deck and will be divided into future tenant spaces. Koch Construction is the general contractor on the project. "We've been working on and off here for about ten years," says Bill Zeeb, LeDuc & Dexter Commercial Manager, referring back to the time when Koch Construction Company first began construction on the shopping center located on Old Redwood Highway in Windsor. Over the years buildings have been added and the shopping center has steadily grown to its present size.

The entryway compliments the architecture of the other buildings in the center. (click image to enlarge)

The new building ties into the existing structure next to it. (click image to enlarge)

For the overall shell construction LeDuc & Dexter is installing the main underground sewer system, gas and water lines along with core restrooms, roof drainage and deck drainage for the decking that surrounds the second story of the building. For the El Toro Supermarket LeDuc & Dexter is installing a number of sinks and drains along with a grease interceptor and sampling manhole, which is designed to be accessible so that inspectors can check periodically to see if the grease interceptor system is working properly.

The Windsor Palm Shopping Center is home to over 30 shops and stores including Round Table Pizza, Patelco Credit Union, State Farm Insurance, two Mexican restaurants, two dental offices, an animal hospital and a day spa.  There is also a convenience store and a small Mexican food store. The El Toro Supermarket will be the largest tenant in the Windsor Palm Shopping Center when it is completed.

From across Old Redwood Highway the new building stands out as one of the largest in the center. (click image to enlarge)

Rebuilding Together, Again

The Community

Professional trades people including LeDuc & Dexter are volunteering with Rebuilding Together to repair homes like this at 801 Carr Avenue in Santa Rosa. (click image to enlarge)

LeDuc & Dexter, Inc. has once again partnered with Sonoma National Bank to sponsor a house that will be rehabilitated under the supervision of the non-profit organization Rebuilding Together, which assists low income residents with home repairs.

Dianne Cox, who heads the Santa Rosa Rebuilding Together Chapter, was ecstatic about the turnout on Saturday, April 29th for the Rebuilding Together Annual Workday. 250 volunteers showed up and applied to help repair 12 homes. No special skills are necessary, but they are certainly welcomed.

LeDuc & Dexter's Patrick Brennan (left) and Toby Anderson work on the pipes for the new bathroom sink. (click image to enlarge)

LeDuc & Dexter's Patrick Brennan sets the sink in the bathroom. (click image to enlarge)

Toby Anderson, Residential Foreman for LeDuc & Dexter, has volunteered his time to help out. He is working on the home sponsored by LeDuc & Dexter and Sonoma National Bank at 801 Carr Ave. near Santa Rosa Junior College.

The woman who lives at this residence is 90 years old, so Anderson is replacing the old faucets in the bathroom and kitchen with new ones that feature handles that will make them easier for her to use. Anderson is also installing a new toilet and changing out the trim on the tub. In the kitchen he is doing a total tear-out and installing a new sink along with new waste and water lines.

Marie Frazee is having her home at 801 Carr Avenue repaired by volunteers from Rebuilding Together. (click image to enlarge)

Toby Anderson also volunteered his time to help a wheelchair bound resident who lives on Guerneville Road in Santa Rosa. Anderson is remodeling the bathroom at that home with a new shower and new toilet. Aside from this Anderson is also working on the second new construction home that LeDuc & Dexter is contributing time and materials for at Habitat for Humanity's six home project on Mera Court in Santa Rosa. Toby is on the clock for this job, but he's getting some volunteer help from Christine Dahl Silva, Habitat for Humanity Project Coordinator at the job site, says Toby, "She brings us coffee and donuts every morning."