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BUILDING FORWARD
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The Chippewa Valley was not immune to the devastating housing market crash seen a decade ago, but things have steadily bounced back. According to Ivory, the construction of new single-family homes in Eau Claire almost doubled from 2010 to 2017, growing by 93% (almost all of them in new residential developments). The market has especially taken off since 2015.
“When the bottom fell out of the housing industry,” says Christina Thrun, Executive Officer for the Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association, “we saw a decline and stagnation in new developments. Less spec homes were built, and many of the area builders left the industry. However, during the past few years, we’ve seen an increase in the number of developments and a willingness by area builders to take on the risk of a new development.”
These new developments abandon the old grid layout in favor of more interesting curvilinear patterns. When considering new projects, Ivory and his department stresses the connectivity of streets allowing for maximum accessibility and walkability. New developments must jive with the city, with considerations for our emergency services and existing systems.
Besides serving as an indication of economic growth, new neighborhood developments are good for the city as a whole. They spur improvements in infrastructure as connecting roads are rebuilt and repaired, and nearby parks are enhanced.
But the ultimate difference between a few rows of new houses and a real community of neighbors rests in the people who live there. Do they support each other? Do they take pride in the place they live? Are they willing to put in the work to cultivate the necessary relationships to make it happen?
Neighborhoods don’t simply sprout from dirt roads. They take time – and people – to grow.
The new neighborhoods featured on the following pages are some of those currently in development throughout our area. They offer varying sizes and styles of lots and homes, interesting features, and proximity to established amenities in our community. If you’ve considered building a home, explore these pages to learn more about some of the best options out there today.
