The Not List

I have an aversion to making those lists of the "top ten" anything, probably out of sheer stubbornness. I do have a propensity for reviewing the past and looking forward to the future, however. With that in mind, here are some key events in Morrison Ranch from 2005, and a few things to look forward to in Morrison Ranch in 2006.

Lakeview Village
In 2005, many of the retail shops around Albertson's were opened. There are still a couple of empty spots, notably in The Oasis, where we are working on getting a coffee/breakfast facility (and are in the process of working through leasing agreements with one, thankfully). The shops connecting the Albertson's and DiRicci's are being built as we speak - The Mister says that there are things going on top of the concrete that I mentioned on Wednesday - and leasing arrangements are already underway with those future tenants.
In 2006, we hope that the center will be fully leased, and a couple of the pads to the south will be built, including some restaurant options. We've been asked repeatedly about Albertson's plans, and we do not have any "inside scoop;" we only know what we read in the papers.

Higley Estates
This community really got under way in 2005; in fact, Greystone closed on their last house this month. It was our fastest built development to date, and was our first taste of high demand, lotteries, and prices that seemed to rise weekly. The fact that the large lots were in such great demand spurred some thought about future communities with larger lots. I (and many of my neighbors in Higley Groves West) love the covered tot lot. The quarter circle of lighted palms on the corner was also installed in 2005, and it provides a lovely view from our office conference table.
In 2006, the houses will be completed, and hopefully most of the cement truck traffic will abate somewhat as folks get their pools installed. We still have no firm plans about what will go in on the corner; we are being picky about it, trying to get just the right use.

Highland Groves
2005 was really the starting point for this community, and even though the high demand has continued, the pace has been somewhat slower due to constraints on building supplies. Things have seemed to move faster here at the end of the year; perhaps it's just because it's more visible. All of those water and sewer pipes being installed just look like big piles of dirt and various holes in the ground; but once things get recognizable, that's a different story. Morrison Homes has actually closed on a house, and Ashton Woods is making tracks to do the same.
In 2006 - EARLY 2006 - the lakes will be filled and the landscaping will be installed, and THAT will be a visual change of epic proportion. As with Higley Estates, we expect that the buildout will be rapid. The apartments should start construction at the tail end of 2006.

Lakeview Trails North
All of the work on this community in 2005 has been of the unseen sort; the contracts finalized and escrow begun, the engineering and platting, and things of that nature.
In early 2006, the sale of 7 parcels will be finalized to 5 different homebuilders (U.S. Home, Morrison Homes, Ashton Woods, Greystone, and Richmond America) and the models should be started before year's end. There will be all different sizes of houses on various lot sizes. The landscaping irrigation will be served by the lake that is already built at Lakeview Village, and there is a site for an elementary school.

Paperless Office and Other Cleanup
Regular Front Porch visitors have watched me go through the agony of research, the excitement of installation and the satisfaction of actually using our paperless office. According to our consultant, we are ahead of the learning curve; but according to me, we have miles to go before we sleep. I am grateful for the progress thus far. As for other cleanup projects, what was once a feedlot on Higley has continued to be transformed, as the corrals were removed, and we are exploring the options for planting something there. The old mill and quonset hut were also taken down, and the grain tanks painted.
Next year should see the installation of lights atop the grain tanks. In the paperless department, I hope that the remaining documents will get input into the system and everyone in the office will be comfortable using it.

There are many other projects on the stove at the office; the community directly south of Highland Groves (Lakeside Groves) is in the process of negotiations with builders. The Industrial Park should get started next year. There have been initial talks about the commercial areas at Higley and Warner; the opening of the SanTan freeway will turn up the heat on those discussions. I have heard some discussions about the Mesa property, which will not adjoin Morrison Ranch proper, and which will be subject to different building requirements. And of course, there is need to oversee the quality of the ongoing projects; sometimes it feels like we're being a nuisance, I'm sure, but our overarching desire is to remind, prod, and yes, help, the builders complete the community to the high standards to which we would like to become accustomed. All in all, I'm looking forward to a very productive 2006.

Happy New Year to you and yours.