Condo living rises where roots run deep

She's relished her Sergeant Bluff roots for longer than that.

Harman has now married those two interests in creating Baker Prairie Bluff, a new home development project that has started with the construction of five condominiums, including her own. Four are currently for sale.

In short order, the development will feature nine condominiums with more to be constructed as Harman develops an area that once was her family's farm.

"We are standing now on what used to be farm ground," said Harman, who noted how Baker Prairie Bluff derives its name from her family, a prairie and the bluff.

"This was eight feet of prairie grass," said Harman, who divides her time between Sergeant Bluff and the Chicago area, where she's sold real estate for years. "We use the term 'bluff' because there is a bluff."

Harman, who was raised in Sergeant Bluff and graduated from high school here in 1961, looks out her office area window to the southeast and sees the 1919 home that was built for her grandparents as a wedding gift. The home was moved by Harman 17 years ago and now houses her museum, one that shows family artifacts as well as those detailing the history of this Woodbury County community.

"My diploma is in the museum, as is my mom's diploma and her little beanie," Harman said.

Harman, who majored in merchandising at Iowa State University, has spent her career in both New York and Chicago, and had merchandising showrooms in prominent locations in both cities. Four decades ago, though, she entered the world of real estate and hasn't deviated from it. She always kept her eye on her hometown, too, and several years ago considered developing a strip mall on Highway 75, but pulled back once another mall sprang forth.

Instead, Harman mulled the prospect of a series of two-story and ranch condominiums, perhaps adding some punch to an already robust construction boom in her hometown. After examining the construction of the new Kingsley State Bank in Sergeant Bluff, just southwest of this tract, Harman inquired about the bank's builders.

She was directed to Lance and Jenny Howe, and Brett and Emily Harvey, the couples behind H&H Builders, of Kingsley, Iowa, builders of Kingsley State Bank.

"Jan met us three years ago and we began talking about this project," said Jenny Howe, adding how H&H Builders was formed in December 2001. The firm handles residential and commercial construction in an 80-mile circle around Kingsley.

When Harman landed on a plan to develop condominiums, plans were drawn by Jim Champion of FEH Design. The first phase was finished one year ago as Jan and her husband, Boyd Harman, moved in to their condo, which featured 1,750 square feet on the main level and a full, though unfinished basement. Work on the project was completed by a host of local subcontractors from Kingsley, Sioux City, South Sioux City, Cherokee and Moville.

"This is one of four floor plans," said Harman, who walked from the kitchen to the living/great room, which features an office area. High ceilings add light and air to this room, one that transitions seamlessly from kitchen to TV room to the office.

Two large bedrooms on the main floor accommodate the Harmans, who have a heated floor serving the master bathroom. LED lighting contributes to energy savings, as does a smart-siding approach, one boasting the latest in long-duration material.

"All the outside maintenance will be done for you," said Jenny Howe as she detailed facets of each floor-plan. "The interior features good, durable products that are made to last."

While this is H&H Builders' foray into a multi-housing development, the company previously constructed an apartment complex in Vermillion, S.D.

"We have had interest in the four condominiums that are done, but people maybe do struggle a little in knowing where we are," said Howe, who noted that once area residents find Baker Prairie Bluff they are impressed at how the rural setting mends well with the proximity of the Sergeant Bluff business district and the ease of getting to Sioux City and beyond.

Baker Prairie Bluff, which will soon be found via Google Maps, is mere seconds from Fareway, several recreational fields and the schools in Sergeant Bluff; and seconds from both Old Highway 75 and Interstate 29.

"In seconds you can be anywhere and, yet, you sit back here and have a more private, outdoorsy feel," said Howe as she pointed toward walking trails and an area that will soon feature a pond. "That is what sets this development apart."

Two-story units, Howe added, may be geared toward younger couples or single parents, while ranch layouts may appeal more to baby boomers and seniors.

Of the four condos currently for sale, two are finished and have all the flooring, lighting and cabinetry in place. "Those are basically move-in ready," said Howe.

Of the other two condos for sale, the new owners may pick out cabinets, wall colors, fixtures, flooring, doors, millwork and more.

"Across the street, we've broken ground on four units, all 1,600 to 1,700 square feet, which will feature main floor ranch floor-plans," Howe said.

The activity has poised Sergeant Bluff for even more growth, something this community has enjoyed the past several decades, something Jan Harman has enjoyed watching happen from her home-away-from-home in Glenview, Illinois.

"Jan put her name on the streets, Lindgren and Baker," said Howe. "She obviously wants this to be here forever."