EDWARDS/VAIL AREA

EAGLE RANCH

Just south of the Town of Eagle, in what has been dubbed the "banana belt" of Eagle County, Brush Creek meanders through one of the most well planned housing developments in the area. This is Eagle Ranch, a self-contained community that is providing affordable housing in an area where it is desperately needed. Owners East-West Parkers (dba Eagle Ranch LLC) began construction on Filing 1 in 1999, when Elam Construction, Inc. was awarded the contract for concrete prep and all paving. According to Elam Project Manager Rick Smith, the work will continue at least through 2003 and will consist of 13 filings. At present the roadwork on Filing 8 is being completed. The development will ultimately provide 1200 homes.

A centrally located park and playground have been completed with the help of approximately 700 volunteers from the Eagle Valley. The playground features a large rugged castle, just made for climbing! Natural open spaces and 20 miles of recreational trails are interwoven throughout the development. Two elementary schools and one middle school have already been built and a movie theater is under construction. Shopping facilities, restaurants and churches are on the drawing board.

On a tour of the development, Project Superintendent Richard Van Dyke pointed out existing buildings from the original ranch which are being renovated to house a community center, maintenance facilities, etc. The horse barn, adjacent to the new clubhouse (pictured to the left), has been redone to serve as a golf cart barn for the new, Arnold Palmer-designed golf course.

The residential areas are designed around the "neighborhood" concept, residential neighborhoods surrounding a small village with easy access to restaurants, small parks, and other community facilities. Six or seven house designs are available to buyers, all of which are reminiscent of homes built in different parts of the U.S. in the early 1900's. The elegant home designs, along with their tree-lined streets and neighborhood groupings, are re-creating a "Small Town U.S.A." atmosphere which is very much a part of our heritage.

Our congratulations to the Elam team for the fine quality of work that they are contributing to this "showcase" community. The tradition continues.