Let The New Year Begin

Actually, 2007 has already begun, whether I'm willing to allow it or not. For all my talk about how things always take longer, it seems like Time never does; in other words, the calendar moves on at a rapid pace even if I'm not ready. We are looking forward to several things in this year, and so I thought I'd share some of them.

The Web Portal
This is one of the most exciting things to unfold in 2007 - February 3, to be exact. You can read The Mister's explanation of the portal here, or my initial explanation of it here. We really need group leaders to start the ball rolling; it takes a tiny bit of training to learn how to work the site for the first time, and it isn't all that difficult. If you have a group that you would like to manage on the portal, please email or call you HOA representative, or email me and I'll pass it along. I'll remind you that residents of Higley Groves, east and west, need to agree to the terms in order to partake of this service; all other Morrison Ranch residents will have access from the moment they close on their home.

Lakeview Village
As posted here before, there are two potential grocers (Basha's and Frys) negotiating for the spot that Albertson's vacated. We should have a final word sometime this month or early February, and then it will take about 6 months for the grocer to remodel the store and get open. Our understanding is that either one will also operate the gas pumps as well.

Once the grocer is determined, the rest of the center will be leased. As I've mentioned several times, this is a prime site, and will grow more valuable with each new resident that moves in behind it in Lakeview Trails North. Albertson's problems were national, not with Lakeview Village.

Sadly, the Zone Cafe is having some of the same problems as Albertson's, which is to say financial issues as a company nationwide, and so they will not be moving in next to Garlic Jim's. We hope to have another dining option available this year.

Lakeview Trails North
This large residential community has continued its construction even through the holiday season. The wet utilities are completed and the dry utilities are about halfway finished. The most notable thing is that everything is right on schedule (when have you ever heard me say that?!). The models should be starting to go up in April, and the builders will no doubt be selling homes by then.

Lakeside Groves
We hope to be under contract for this residential community (located east of Recker and south of Elliot) with three different sized lots by the end of the year.

Highland Groves
The remainder of the common landscaping will be installed shortly, and things are looking very nice in this community. Both fountains are working, homes continue to be sold, and no doubt the residents are ready to say goodbye to the construction traffic. The Morrison Homes and Ashton Woods homes should be all sold by the end of the year, and the U.S. Homes product will be very close behind.

We expect to be under contract for the condos to be built next to Superstition Springs Community Church (where the big dirt pile was) very soon, and then the builder will begin the process of getting permits from the Town of Gilbert.

Desert Place at Morrison Ranch
This year should also see a contract for the residential portion of this community located in the southwest corner of Sossaman and Guadalupe. As you know, we received our zoning from the City of Mesa last year.

We may also see the first industrial user here.

Miscellaneous
The tank lights shone brightly all through the holidays; we still have to get the red aviation light affixed to the top. These are not just for Christmas, but for year-round.

I have every intention of cleaning up all the scanning and getting the paperless office truly less paperful (you know what I mean). There is, of course, all the financial work to be done to satisfy Uncle Sam for 2006, and that takes a good part of my time. Nevertheless, I grow more efficient all the time.

The Mister says that I always make unreasonable Do-Lists that have no chance of getting accomplished. I'm sure I actually finished one once in 1985, but that's beside the point. This list belongs to our entire office, and we will be working hard to see the fruit.