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Whetstone Ranch development under way
THELMA GRIMES
News-Sun
Ernie Graves purchased more than 15,000 acres on the east side of State Route 90 nearly 12 years ago, with the vision of building a housing development that has come to be known as Whetstone Ranch.
Over the years some have questioned if the 20,000-home development would become reality. Those doubts were erased Tuesday as a groundbreaking ceremony kicked off construction of the first home.
"It's taken a long time to get through all the regulatory issues," said Graves, a Tucson resident. "We haven't cut corners in any aspect. This is going to be top quality. I think all the paperwork and getting the legal aspects taken care of was 70 percent of the work. Now, the actual part people can see will be the final 30 percent. It's a great kickoff for Benson."
And what a kick it's going to be, as Whetstone Ranch is expected to bring more than 20,000 homes to Benson over the next 20 years.
Whetstone Ranch is not the only projected growth, as the City Council has approved plans over the last year calling for more than 15,000 homes in a variety of housing developments throughout the community. Of that, Whetstone Ranch consists of 1,030 homes.
Pat Lopez, of the Whetstone Development Company, said a project of "this size and scope takes a lot of time to make happen."
"This is not about just building homes," he said. "This is about building a community through a vision we can all share."
The first home, which already has the plumbing installed, and is now just waiting for the cement and the walls to go up, is part of the Cottonwood Bluffs subdivision.
R.L. Workman Homes is building the 100-home subdivision. Company President Bob Workman said the first home should be complete in the next three months.
"This house is the first of Whetstone Ranch and that's why we are here today," Workman said. "But all the credit has to go to Ernie Graves. I am just a beneficiary of what Ernie has done for this area. He is responsible for putting all of this together."
By this time next year, Lopez estimated phase one, which consists of 45 homes in Cottonwood Bluffs, should be complete, and phase two, which is platted for 55 homes, should be well "under way."
Three other builders will be putting homes up in other planned subdivisions, Lopez said. Those developments are known as Cottonwood Highlands, which is platted at 270 homes and Canyons at Whetstone, which entails 76 homes in three phases.
Pulte Homes, a Tucson housing developer, is also making progress, Lopez said. Pulte, the biggest developer in the project, is planning a retirement community that will consist of 13,750 homes over 6,000 acres. However, while Pulte is moving forward with plans, the land sale will not be final until March, Lopez said.
In the well-attended event on Tuesday, Whetstone representatives, along with Benson city officials, agreed this is a big step toward the future.
"It's an exciting day for Benson," said Mayor George Scott. "The City Council has worked really hard to put this thing together."
City Manager Boyd Kraemer, said this development will put Benson on the map for "being the best city in Cochise County."
"We are just getting started," he said. "There is a lot of work to get done here. The thing in Benson right now is the belief in our future."
Banking on the future is just what the city continues to do as final plans have been approved for the following developments besides Whetstone Ranch:
Kartchner Vistas, a 201-home development on State Route 90
San Pedro Estates, 224 homes on Madison and Darby streets
Turquoise Hills, 32 homes on State Route 80
Old Homestead, 24 homes on Pomerene Road
San Pedro Vista, 121 homes on Ridge Drive
Station Overlook, 33 homes on Pearl Street
Water Crest, 53 homes on Ocotillo Road
La Cholla Heights, 45 homes on Catarina Street.
La Mesa San Pedro, a 13-home development proposed on La Mesa Drive.
In commercial development, the biggest prospect planned for 2006 is Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart is planning to build a 99,000-square-foot store on the corner of Prickly Pear Avenue and 4th Street.
News-Sun
Ernie Graves purchased more than 15,000 acres on the east side of State Route 90 nearly 12 years ago, with the vision of building a housing development that has come to be known as Whetstone Ranch.
Over the years some have questioned if the 20,000-home development would become reality. Those doubts were erased Tuesday as a groundbreaking ceremony kicked off construction of the first home.
"It's taken a long time to get through all the regulatory issues," said Graves, a Tucson resident. "We haven't cut corners in any aspect. This is going to be top quality. I think all the paperwork and getting the legal aspects taken care of was 70 percent of the work. Now, the actual part people can see will be the final 30 percent. It's a great kickoff for Benson."
And what a kick it's going to be, as Whetstone Ranch is expected to bring more than 20,000 homes to Benson over the next 20 years.
Whetstone Ranch is not the only projected growth, as the City Council has approved plans over the last year calling for more than 15,000 homes in a variety of housing developments throughout the community. Of that, Whetstone Ranch consists of 1,030 homes.
Pat Lopez, of the Whetstone Development Company, said a project of "this size and scope takes a lot of time to make happen."
"This is not about just building homes," he said. "This is about building a community through a vision we can all share."
The first home, which already has the plumbing installed, and is now just waiting for the cement and the walls to go up, is part of the Cottonwood Bluffs subdivision.
R.L. Workman Homes is building the 100-home subdivision. Company President Bob Workman said the first home should be complete in the next three months.
"This house is the first of Whetstone Ranch and that's why we are here today," Workman said. "But all the credit has to go to Ernie Graves. I am just a beneficiary of what Ernie has done for this area. He is responsible for putting all of this together."
By this time next year, Lopez estimated phase one, which consists of 45 homes in Cottonwood Bluffs, should be complete, and phase two, which is platted for 55 homes, should be well "under way."
Three other builders will be putting homes up in other planned subdivisions, Lopez said. Those developments are known as Cottonwood Highlands, which is platted at 270 homes and Canyons at Whetstone, which entails 76 homes in three phases.
Pulte Homes, a Tucson housing developer, is also making progress, Lopez said. Pulte, the biggest developer in the project, is planning a retirement community that will consist of 13,750 homes over 6,000 acres. However, while Pulte is moving forward with plans, the land sale will not be final until March, Lopez said.
In the well-attended event on Tuesday, Whetstone representatives, along with Benson city officials, agreed this is a big step toward the future.
"It's an exciting day for Benson," said Mayor George Scott. "The City Council has worked really hard to put this thing together."
City Manager Boyd Kraemer, said this development will put Benson on the map for "being the best city in Cochise County."
"We are just getting started," he said. "There is a lot of work to get done here. The thing in Benson right now is the belief in our future."
Banking on the future is just what the city continues to do as final plans have been approved for the following developments besides Whetstone Ranch:
In commercial development, the biggest prospect planned for 2006 is Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart is planning to build a 99,000-square-foot store on the corner of Prickly Pear Avenue and 4th Street.
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