SIOUX CITY -- Many who drove by the old borrow pit along Floyd Boulevard in years past saw a dirty mess.
Developers Rick Bertrand and Casey Fenton saw an opportunity.
And as early as this summer, new town home owners will see beautiful views and wildlife out of their windows in the Chestnut Hill development.
"It was an abused piece of property, and we're turning it into something special. It's been an eyesore for years," Bertrand said.
Located near the intersection of 28th Street and Floyd Boulevard, the hilly 27-acre parcel of land had been used off and on as a borrow pit from 2005-16.
Bertrand and Fenton plan 80 units -- a mixture of town homes and single-family homes -- for the $17 million-$21 million project, which received $1.5 million from city development funds that are being used toward the development's infrastructure.
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Bertrand said all utilities have been installed and the first 2,000 feet of concrete have been poured. He hopes to have the remainder of the street and three cul-de-sacs finished by May 1. The development will be accessible by Floyd Boulevard at the bottom and Chestnut Avenue at the top.
The first town homes along the top of the development are under construction.
"We've got our first six buildings, or 12 units, are roughly 60 percent complete," Bertrand said. "Twelve town homes will become available by the Fourth of July is our expectation."
All units will have 1,550 square feet of space on the ground floor and a 900-square-foot finished basement. Homes will include four bedrooms, including a large master bedroom, three bathrooms and a two-car garage. Bertrand said modern furnishings such as custom hardwood floors and quartz countertops will be present in all units. Some custom-built single-family homes are possible in future construction phases.
Many units will have a sweeping view of the Floyd River valley to the east. Back decks at the top of the hill will face west into a wooded area that is home to deer, turkeys and other wildlife.
"The views are amazing," Bertrand said.
The units are expected to be priced at $199,000-$250,000, Bertrand said. Lots will include in-ground sprinkler systems and be landscaped and sodded prior to owners moving in. Owners will have the option to have yard care and snow removal provided for a monthly fee.
Bertrand said the development should be attractive to retirees and younger families. A bike trail through the development will hook into other area trails. With the development's bike trail and green spaces, Bertrand said Chestnut Hill will have a community-like feel, similar to developments seen in Sioux Falls or Omaha. It's also providing needed new housing on the city's north side.
"We definitely feel like we're meeting a need on the north side," Bertrand said. "People are talking about how there really aren't a lot of town home developments on the north side."
Furthering that community feel will be the development of 2.5 acres of commercial ground that fronts the property on Floyd Boulevard. Bertrand said he's been in talks with various businesses such as restaurants that would be beneficial to residents who live in the development.
"We're really trying to focus on amenities that will enhance the community," Bertrand said.
Some dirt work and shaping of the hill on the north side of the property remains to be done this spring. Bertrand said plans are to have all homes built in four years. Once completed, it will have filled in a big chunk of barren land within the city limits, the type of project Bertrand enjoys.
"This is an infill project. This isn't urban sprawl," Bertrand said. "I like infill projects. For us to continue to grow as a community, we need to continue to focus on infill projects. Everybody's got a niche, and I think this is mine.
"I feel like this project is kind of an accumulation of all the things I've done in the past."
