Construction begins on first phase of Grandview Meadows development

August 20, 2009 - A development that is expected to eventually include more than 100 single-family homes has taken its first steps.

Brookstone Homes has started construction of four houses as part of the Grandview Meadows development, a 109-lot single-family subdivision located north of 45th Street and east of 35th Avenue, former site of Kenosha Auto Transport.

Scott Thistle, president of Brookstone Homes, said four foundations are being built and two more may commence before the winter season near 42nd Street and 35th Avenue. The first phase of construction will eventually include 19 houses.

Before any home construction could begin, a new section of 35th Avenue had to be constructed in the subdivision.

Zohrab Khaligian, a city development specialist, said the city also will construct four universal design homes, which provide accessibility for handicapped families, as part of the development.

The subdivision’s homes are expected to be priced between the $150,000 and $215,000. The entire project is expected to be completed in 2017.

Alderman Anthony Kennedy, whose district includes this development, said the project was a culmination of the work of Everett Butler, his aldermanic predecessor. Kennedy said this development, in conjunction with replacing four-unit houses in the Wilson Heights area, could help create a new identity for the area.

"I think the subdivision will start changing the perceptions of people as they see the 10th District," Kennedy said. "You are going to see a different neighborhood in the years to come."

The overall housing market has suffered some lean years, but Thistle said interest in single-family homes is growing.

"The starter-home market is doing well," Thistle said. "We are seeing a lot more people coming in and looking for their first house."

Thistle said Wisconsin has gone from just under 30,000 single-family homes being built in 2005 to just over 8,000 in 2008.

"The fall has been precipitous, but there is not this gigantic ball of supply on the market," Thistle said.

And Thistle said this development is already garnering some potential buyers.

"We’ve had good interest," Thistle said. "We created a waiting list for people that want to be sent updates, and we have quite a backlog of people that are interested. Provided the economy gets better, we have every reason to believe that we will be successful.

"It really is a fantastic location," Thistle said. "We like the proximity to downtown Kenosha and major employment hubs. And there are not a lot of options for people looking at a new house for $165,000."

Thistle said he’s looking forward to getting people into these homes.

"I would say it is exciting right now," Thistle said.



Originally printed in Kenosha News. Story by Matthew Olson