• The Cathcart Group of Charlottesville plans to build a total of 396 units in 17 buildings between Ridgedale Road and the extension of Stone Spring Road commonly known as the southeast connector.
   
  
• The Cathcart Group is seeking to appeal to "renters-by-choice," including graduate students, young professionals, professors, doctors and retirees.
   
• In addition to the 168 residential units, The Reserve's first phase will include a 7,000-square-foot clubhouse with space for social gatherings, a professional chef's kitchen, a 24 hour business and fitness center, and a wide-screen movie theater. There will also be a swimming pool, spa, outdoor fire pit and dog park.
   
• Eventually, The Reserve will include a 27- acre "village center" with a "large grocery anchor or regional attraction with Main Street shops, restaurant[ s], hotels, pharmacies and service amenities — all surrounded by attractive green spaces and water features,"
   

The Village at Chicago Park intent is for environmentally friendly, relatively small mixed residential development with single-story and two-story homes with footprints from 1,500 sq-ft to 2,100 sq-ft under roof.

The principle for the intended size of the homes is to be sustainable, energy efficient, low maintenance, and attractive by utilizing elements that mirror natural aspects. The homes are intended to include porches, a garage, and stoops all within the small footprint. The homes can be constructed and oriented so that the southern exposure is utilized for solar energy. Efficient house shell and controlled crawl space construction with the above elements provide for an eco-friendly neighborhood.

The Village at Chicago Park will incorporate pedestrian walks on both sides of the street. These walkways will connect to the emergent walk system along Chicago Avenue as the developer seeks to keep things neighborhood oriented increasing the accessibility to a greater community.

The Village at Chicago Park's emphasis is on sustainability. These concepts combined with the use of quality products, excellent craftsmanship, on site open space, and small lots create an environmental and pedestrian friendly, low maintenance attractive neighborhood.

The Ice Factory is one of Harrisonburg's most exciting 2014 projects.  The project features over 130,000 square feet of mixed use (commercial/residential) space offering a unique mix of both recreational and living space.

The top two floors of the Ice Factory will be 34 residential units.  These units will vary from one bedrooms to efficiencies and will feature the modern comforts people have come to expect from previous Matchbox projects such as the Livery Building, Urban Exchange, and City Exchange.  The apartments will highlight the rustic interior of their former use with concrete floors,  12' ceilings, huge windows, and dynamic columns to capture the look and feel of an industrial loft.

Ice Factory residential occupancy is slated for summer 2014 for all those who are interested.  For more information on rental availability, please contact Mary Messerley at mary@matchboxrealty.com.

Ice Factory overview

Ice Factory Phase One  (JMU, etc.)

Ice Factory Phase Two  (commercial, community, residential)

• The Cathcart Group from Charlottesville will be developing The Reserve at Stoneport.
• The Reserve will encompass 21.8 acres, and will consist of 396 apartment homes.
• Construction on the first phase (168 units) will begin in 2012-Q4.
• The Reserve is planned to feature amenities such as The Reserve Club --- a 7,000 SF clubhouse with a business center, fitness center, cyber cafe, movie theater, billiards room, ping pong room, spa and tanning rooms, etc.  Other amenities will include a pool, hot tub, outdoor fireplace and lounge, sport court, walking trails, kiddie pool and tot lot.
• The apartments will feature one, two or three bedrooms, and will feature granite counter tops, maple cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

• Dec 2013: Downtown Hotel Figures Submitted (Daily News Record)
  
• May 2013: Conference Center Details Line Up (Daily News Record)
  
• Jan 2013 - City Council asked the developer to conduct a feasibility study
• Nov 2012 - No new proposals were received.
  
• Sept 2012 - City Council discussed proposal, decided to seek competing proposals.
  

• Preston Lake Master Plan (rev. Dec 13, 2013)
   
  
• Master Plan Amendment Request - Narrative (rev. Dec 13, 2013)
   
• Proposed Revised Proffers (rev. Dec 13, 2013)

Some notable items, some of which are changes, some are not....

There will be a divider between the apartments and the remainder of the community.

"Development sections previously denoted as Phases IV and V have been modified to include new proposed unit variations:  multi-family residential units (to be separated from the remainder of the residential development by a wall or fence with no direct vehicular or pedestrian access, as described in the proffered conditions and as shown conceptually on the Master Plan) and quad units (blocks of four single-family attached units)."

The quantity of each type of dwelling could change from this proposed plan.

"The proposed residential development total is set at 819 units.  Individual unit type totals are shown on the Master Plan, though these totals may shift so long as the overall total number of units is not exceeded."

The order and timing of the development each type of housing is unknown.

"Development of Preston Lake is not proposed to be limited by any particular phasing, to better allow market driven development practices and better ensure the financial success of the project as a whole."

There has been some discussion of how Preston Lake would get to the point of having a community center and pool.

"A lakeside Community Center shall be constructed to substantially conform to the design and appearance as depicted in the artist's rendering attached as Exhibit C and as shown on the Master Plan, but may vary slightly in size and shape to conform to the lakefront shape and final pool location.  The Community Center size shall be determined by MLK based upon office space needs, fitness center needs, meeting room space, kitchen and catering requirements, deck sizing, and other community amenities.  Construction of the Community Center shall commence by December 31, 2014 and shall be completed in a timely manner.  The pool shall be constructed if, at the time of the poll described below, Preston Lake residential "community support" exists for continued maintenance and upkeep of the pool facilities, which would be the responsibility of the HOA after any required construction is complete.  "Community Support" shall be measured by the Developer, via a poll taken of owners of occupied residences within 90 days after the development reaches 120 occupied single family detached and/or single family attached (townhouses and villas) units.  If "Community Support" for pool maintenance/upkeep measures at least two thirds (2/3) of the owners of such occupied residences at the time of the poll being in favor of the construction and future maintenance/upkeep of a pool in the location designated on the Proposed Master Plan, then the pool shall be constructed by the Developer within 365 days of completed polling efforts.  Should "Community Support" for the pool construction/maintenance/upkeep not reach a two-thirds (2/3) super majority of the owners of such occupied residences at the time of the poll, construction of the pool shall not be required of the Developer."

• Expand the development from 125 acres to 140 acres.
• Expand the number of residences from 474 units to 819 units.
  

[4] Townhouses and More Townhouses

[5] Expanded Single Family Home Section

• Proposed Revised Master Plan
  
• Master Plan Amendment Request
• Community Center Architectural Rendering
• Proposed Revised Proffers

If these changes to the Preston Lake master plan impact you, definitely plan to attend the Public Hearing tomorrow (Dec 18, 2013) at 6:30 PM to let your voice be heard.

• As shown above, the lake has been drained and is being repaired, as there seemed to have been a leak that was preventing it from staying full.
   
  
• Not shown above, a new brick wall is being built along the edge of Preston Lake at Massanetta Springs Road, which will be accompanied by a revamped entrance.
   
  
• A new model home has been built that showcases what the new builder is offering.
   
  
• A variety of new models of homes are being advertised.... 
• The Cottage Collection (1847-2334 SF) starting in the mid $300K's
• The Vista Collection (2965-3226 SF) starting in the high $400K's
• The Estate Collection (3238-4056 SF) starting in the low $500K's
• The Charleston Townhome Collection (1763-1897 SF) starting in the high $200K's
  

Take a drive through Preston Lake sometime soon to see the changes that are under way, and if you have questions, feel free to email (scott@HarrisonburgHousingToday.com) or call me (540-578-0102).

Some Preston Lake reading material from the archives....

• Details of Sale of Preston Lake Subdivision (Dec 2012)
       
  
• Preston Lake Acquired By Neighboring Property Owner (Development Company from Maryland) (Dec 2012)
   
  
• Preston Lake Foreclosure Finalized: Land Transfers To Wells Fargo, Homeowners Association (Feb 2011)
   
  
• Preston Lake Foreclosure Auction Results In $3.5M Sale To Wells Fargo (Feb 2011)
   
  
• Preston Lake Headed To Foreclosure? (Jan 2011)
   
  
• Sales Updates at Preston Lake in Harrisonburg, VA (Jul 2010) 
  

• Restaurant / Cafe
• Artisan Space / Destination
• Culinary Arts Community Kitchen
• Open Office Space
• Gallery Space
• Aquaponic Facility
• Garden Terrace along Blacks Run
• Event Space
• Loft Apartments
• Shared Gym
• Rooftop Gardens
• Loft Apartments / Condos

• Frazier Quarry
  

With regards to residents and businesses on Boyers, those with frontage on Route 33 would continue to have access to 33 and the stub of Boyers that remains.  Those residents on the cul-de-sac'ed side of Boyers would travel south a short distance to the new southeast connector.  Again, precise location of the road closure and cul-de-sac (or similar feature) are to be finalized in the design.  If you have any concerns or ideas you would like to share, we're eager to hear them.

"The proposed development consists of townhouses along a curvilinear roadway that follows the topography of the site.  A new access point from Massanetta Springs Road would be constructed and a traffic circle woudl be placed near the entrance to the new development."

• There would not be any more than 76 townhouses.
• All existing healthy pine trees along Massanetta Springs Road that are not in the construction limits would be retained.
• The event center would accommodate up to 300 people and will include a golf club house, pro-shop, restaurant, cart storage and associate golf course activities.