After a slow first year and a better

After a slow first year and a better second year, Fairview Village in Fairview, Oregon, is hitting its stride. Home sales are up in the 88-acre traditional neighborhood development (TND): there were 20 in 1996 and more than 40 in 1997. Sixty home sales are projected this year, according to Charlie Haugh of Holt & Haugh developers. All homes have been built to date by builders who purchased lots — but Holt & Haugh recently received a bank loan to construct a dozen houses of their own. “The project is starting to feel like a village, and the premium is kicking in,” says Haugh. “At the beginning, the builders were not selling the quantity they expected, and they were not providing the quality we wanted. Now they are reaping the benefit, but still not providing the quality. So, we decided to get involved and set a higher standard and make some money, also.” Beyond single homes, Fairview now has a diversity of activity. A 33,000 square foot health club is scheduled to break ground in the spring, and 124 apartment units by early summer. A contract was signed by a national firm to operate a 10,000 square foot day care center. Adjacent to Fairview Village, a new elementary school opened in the fall of 1997, connected by a pedestrian bridge over a small stream built by residents. The retail portion of the village has not begun, because Holt & Haugh is still looking for an 65,000 square foot grocery store to serve as an anchor.