The company behind the much talked about new neighborhood in the city's northwest corner has unveiled their plans to the public.
Newport Developments announced through a website last week the development will be call the Meadows of Estevan and will feature a mixture of single detached homes, semi-detached homes, modern home style modular and multifamily homes. Described as a master plan neighborhood that will have strict architectural controls, the website notes the various options will "afford customers with varying demographics the opportunity to live in what will evolve into a very vibrant community."
A delegation from Newport was in Estevan Friday to hold a luncheon and also to attend the final arena fundraising supper which was held that evening at Spectra Place.
Jeff Werhun, who is the general manager of the St. Albert, Alberta based company, said the company is looking forward to getting started in Estevan and offering some help to the city's ongoing housing crunch.
"We saw a need to help Estevan out with a few different aspects of the living accommodations here," said Werhun. "Obviously the rental situation here needs some help and some extra lots to build homes at an affordable price and have a nice living situation here in Estevan.
"We are looking to facilitate all the needs of Estevan. It is a master community and will have a higher level of homes right off of Wellock and in the far north section there will be some rental units to help the needs of the vacancy rate here."
The design for the Meadows, which can be found at www.themeadowsestevan.com, is an impressive one, mixing in a healthy number of green spaces with the various homes and rental properties. Access to the neighborhood would be gained off Wellock Road and the design stretches as far north as the grid road that runs along the northern edge of Estevan. One of the highlights is a large park in the centre of The Meadows which appears to have a nice walking area and also room for an outdoor rink.
Werhun said they wanted the neighborhood to blend in with other areas but to also have an identity of its own.
"We wanted to merge some of the ideas together and we have been working with Terry Willox, a very veteran individual who deals with marketing, and he has come up with the majority of our architectural designs and features," said Werhun.
"We want to provide ample green space. Our goal is not to maximize density but to provide a nice living situation for everybody. We have the walkways, the large park in the middle of our community for everybody to use and water management in the southwest corner that will be a very nice feature."
Although Newport's plan must still be approved by the City of Estevan, Werhun said they are moving along at a good pace and they hope to have lots available in the fall.
"We are going to begin with 100 lots in Phase F which is right off of Wellock Road. Also, with two four-plexes that have a ranch style look to them and we are also looking at doing some mixed commercial in the southwest corner."
The City has been relatively tight-lipped about any ongoing discussions with Newport but they have noted things are proceeding well. Werhun echoed those sentiments, saying their dealings with the City have been refreshing.
"Right from Mayor St. Onge to (land development manager) Rob Denys to (city manager) Jim Puffalt, it has been a great experience working with them so far and we are looking forward to building this community out with them and to help them with all the needs of Estevan."
