When the Boulder Creek Fire Protection District burned down an old wood-framed cabin in Boulder Creek during a training day in December, there was no sense of what could rise from the ashes.
But, like a phoenix of ancient lore, a new house has risen in its place, thanks to the investment of Boulder Creek’s Steve and Randy Ziganti.
The Zigantes bought the property from a friend after the training fire and invested more than $430,000 to build a sparkling new house in the clearing on Azalea Avenue.
The property is just down the hill from Boulder Creek Elementary School and a few minutes’ walk from downtown Boulder Creek.
Why build the three-bedroom, two-bath house during this dreary period in the housing market? The couple described it as an experiment for them and a way to help local contractors and charities during a slow time.
“Most of the people who worked on (the house) went to school with our sons,” Steve said.
“The idea was to put these guys to work,” Randy added. “Most were under 30 years old, and all of them are talented, licensed contractors who needed work.”
The Zigantis’ children are San Lorenzo Valley High graduates.
The house became a family project, with son Jason Ziganti completing the landscaping and Steve, a retired engineer, completing much of the electrical work.
“It’s kind of fun doing everything from scratch,” Steve said.
The couple hired local contractor Gavin Silva of GS Construction, Shane Elliot from EB Electric, plumber Jade Murphy, Joe Beasley to handle paving and Joe Sunderland to do tree work around the house and others.
Randy, an owner of Century 21 Real Estate in the valley, said that to break even, the couple must sell the home for $455,000. If they turn a profit, she said, part of the extra will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank and part to Above the Line, a group that helps women in crisis.
The new house is 1,580 square feet, compared with the 600-square-foot cabin that stood on the property before the fire.
“It’s not a great time to build a spec house,” Randy said, “but it seemed like the right thing to do.”
At a glance
• WHAT: Steve and Randy Ziganti built a new, 1,580-square-foot house on land where a cabin was burned to the ground as a fire department training exercise
• WHERE: 13155 Azalea Ave.
• INFO: Century 21 Showcase Realtors, 338-2125
