Three years ago the area was quiet as a whisper, but now is alive with sounds of construction and people shouting "fore."
Whispering Creek, a 628-acre golf course and residential area being developed by WC Development Inc., Whispering Creek Golf Course L.C. and Sapp Development L.L.C., is out of the tee box with homes and lots available.
The development is the largest and has the most potential in the city, according to Brent Nelson, senior planner for the city, having about 370 lots that could be developed into homes and the possibility for an additional 500.
"Sioux City needs nice housing, affordable housing and a nice development, and we kind of filled that void that Sioux City never had," Larry Franzine, one of the developers, said.
Whispering View, located on the south side of Whispering Creek Drive, was the first subdivision to tee off. Developer Todd Sapp said 30 homes have been built on the 42 available lots. Most are single-family homes that sit on cul-de-sacs.
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Next to Whispering View is the golf course development with surrounding lots. Ten homes have been built around the 18-hole course and are occupied, according to Franzine.
"Around hole numbers 10, 11 and 12 is where most of the lots are sold. There are two homes and some duplexes going up," Franzine said.
Most of the homes are priced at $250,000 and up, Franzine said.
"Even though you are still in the city limits, it's like you are in a country setting," Franzine said of life at Whispering Creek. "With the golf course, people know no one is gonna build right in front of them and the views are just spectacular. Even a home not on the course has a spectacular view."
Nelson said the national trend for subdivisions is those built on golf courses are more successful.
"This is the first major golf course type development we've had in Sioux City and it seems to be fitting in with national trends to attract lots of people to it," Nelson said.
The north side of Whispering Creek Drive, formerly 170th Street, is now where the majority of home building is taking place. Of the 47 available lots, 23 have sold with eight or nine house expected to be ready to move in by spring, Sapp said, and a dozen more planned for fall.
Whispering Creek, joined by Stone Ridge and the Grey Subdivision, are examples of the city's expansion in Southeast Morningside.
"Southeast Morningside has been the place everyone wants to be over the past 20 years," said Nelson," so that is where all the development is occurring."
Sapp and Franzine said they are pleased with the development so far and base success on the location and look of the land. Both mention the view, the unique golf course and the proximity to major roadways and shopping as draws to the development, and they should know. Franzine lives in the first home built in the subdivision and Sapp came to the neighborhood shortly after.
Future plans for the area remain tentative, but all involve more building. A number of contractors are handling the current construction which may include some retail and apartment buildings in the future. Developers are also considering nine more holes for the golf course.
Whatever direction Whispering Creek takes, Franzine said the look of the land will remain.
"We are going to try and make all kinds of different developments, but keep with a country living feel," Franzine said.
