Front porch community planned for Box Elder
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BOX ELDER - A
residential and commercial development with the potential to more
than double Box Elder's taxable valuation is rapidly replacing
rolling pasture land east of Elk Vale Road.
Developer Doyle
Estes believes his Northern Lights Community south of Interstate 90
will boost Box Elder's $80 million valuation by $100 million after
it is completed.
"This is an
exciting little project we're doing with Box Elder," Estes
said.
Northern Lights
sits east of where the city limits of Box Elder and Rapid City meet
east of Elk Vale Road.
A sidewalk and bike
path follows Cheyenne Boulevard, which bridges the two communities.
The paved paths will connect future residents with the nearby
McDonald's, Don's Valley Market Express and Arby's.
Northern Lights is
designed as a residential community, complimented by fringe of
commercial development to soften noise from Interstate 90 and the
Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad tracks bordering the
community on the north. Earthen berms will also serve as a noise
barrier.
Box Elder approved
a $5.5 million tax increment financing district in late 2006 to
finance utility improvements on the property, according to Mayor Al
Dial.
Dial said the
community is prepared to handle growth. Building permits rose by
more than 40 percent from 2005 to 2006. Permits for 2007 are
expected to be 80 percent above 2005.
"We have a planning
process that now takes into account that new growth and targets
then new growth so we have the necessary infrastructure in place at
the time the growth is required," Dial said.
Estes has
negotiated a temporary agreement with Rapid City to provide water
to the development until a water well is drilled and water storage
reservoir is completed.
Both Estes and Dial
had hoped that an agreement could be reached with the city to share
a reservoir in the area but were not able to do so, according to
Estes.
Earthmovers and
pavers are putting the finishing touches on the first phase of the
Northern Lights project, which opens the area for about 50 news
homes.
The 240-acre
development is designed for 600 homes and 140 townhouses, according
to Estes.
How fast the area
develops will depend upon the sale of lots, Estes
said.
Estes has decided
not to build the homes, but he has a definite idea on what the
community will look like.
Lots are long and
narrow, necessitating putting garages at the rear of the homes
where they will be accessible by alleys, a first for new
developments in Rapid City, according to engineer Hani Shafai of
Dream Design International.
"It really is
better for the community than having parking in the front and
having huge set-backs," Shafai said.
There are five
suggested home plans for single- and two-story homes, all of which
have front porches to encourage people to enjoy their front
yards.
"We call it a
return to the front porch community," Estes said.
Northern Lights
could also bring another first to the region - a turnaround
engineered to slow traffic, according to Estes.
As vehicles enter
the development on Cheyenne Boulevard, they will follow the
turnaround in a graceful arch to access residential and commercial
areas.
The master plan
also includes a centrally located park.
Dial was elected
Box Elder's mayor a little more than a year ago.
"We've seen a lot
of changes in that year," he said.
Along with the
development on its western boundary, Box Elder has invested
$980,000 to carry water and sewer to commercial property north of
Exit 67 on Interstate 90, according to Dial.
The future looks
bright for Box Elder, Dial said. The community is becoming a better
place to work and live.
"Our population is
growing, and we're optimistic about the future," he said. "It's
challenging work, and we're working very diligently to stay on top
of it."
Contact Andrea Cook
at 394-8423 or andrea.cook@rapidcityjournal.com
Posted in Top-stories on Saturday, October 20, 2007 11:00 pm
/news/local
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