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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Body found in Lake Siskiyou identified ... Driver in wrong-way crash allegedly intoxicated ... MPD promotes Scott Clauson to deputy chief ... Body found in Lake Siskiyou identified ... Driver in wrong-way crash allegedly intoxicated ... MPD promotes Scott Clauson to deputy chief ... ASHLAND DEVELOPMENT Verde Village rises again near dog park in Ashland Comment By John Darling for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 4, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated May 4, 2016 at 8:59 AM By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 4, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated May 4, 2016 at 8:59 AM » Social News ASHLAND — After being derailed by the Great Recession of 2007-09, development of the 53-home Verde Village on West Nevada Street is finally underway, with occupancy now slated for the end of the year. The new homes will make a dent in Ashland’s tight housing market, with prices mostly in the $300,000 range — not exactly affordable housing but not prohibitive either, says co-developer Laz Ayala of KDA Homes. All homes in Verde Village will have south-facing solar access, garden beds, an Earth Advantage platinum rating, high-efficiency HVAC, insulated windows and fresh air exchange, says co-developer Charlie Hamilton of Suncrest Homes in Ashland-Talent. Backhoes and dirt loaders are busy putting in the utilities and building streets for the 11-acre spread on land near the city dog park and the sewage treatment plant. Land owners are Greg and Valerie Williams. The development started with the one-acre Rice Park affordable housing project on land donated by the Williamses per city code requiring a percentage of housing developments be “affordable.” They were starting Verde Village and had 17 reservations when the economy crashed and banks stopped loaning money in 2008, says Greg Williams. This, he adds, resulted in a “large financial hit” for his family, which has owned the land since 1906. The developers are now doing Phase I, 24 cottages that are west of the road to the dog park. These are 600- to 1,450 square foot homes and some will be in the high $200,000 range. Marketing will start in 60 days. Twenty-nine larger homes will built starting a year from now on the other side of the road. All of them emphasize fitness and simpler living, with detached one-car garages on many, a community garden and no vents or fixtures on south-facing roofs, so owners can install solar as they wish, says Hamilton. “We hope everyone will put in solar,” he says. “It will be pedestrian-oriented, with a parking structure, lots of open space and places for kids to play.” Williams adds that, when he was doing research a decade ago, technicians deemed the site — flat and unshaded by mountains — as having among the best solar access in Southern Oregon. The development is near the Bear Creek Greenway, BMX park and playground of Helman Elementary School. Reach Ashland freelance writer John Darling at [email protected]. By John Darling for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 4, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated May 4, 2016 at 8:59 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501