Venture Homes expanding footprint at Fountain Hills

Venture Homes is continuing to invest in the City of Newton by purchasing another lot for construction in Fountain Hills Estates. City council approved the sale of lot 13 in the subdivision as a part of an agreement between the city and the developer.

In 2014, the city and Venture Homes partnered to construct high-quality single-family homes. The agreement gave the West Des Moines company exclusive rights to acquire any addition lots in Fountain Hills for $1 a piece through the end of 2016. In December, council extended the rights to the lots by one year.

A change to the agreement came in March with terms revised to charge $10,000 for the lots in order for future home buyers to be eligible for the $10,000 buyer incentive from the city. Past home buyers in the subdivision were confused about eligibility for the promotion due to the prior agreement between the city and developer.

This will be the fifth home constructed by Venture Homes in Fountain Hills.

Also at Fountain Hills, city council approved Blommers Construction, Inc. of Pella to construct a turn-around at the north end of West 22nd Street North. In initial subdivision plans, West 22nd Street North would continue north across the adjacent creek. Due to ownership changes and development of property north of the creek, the continuation will not happen.

“Since West 22nd Street North will not be constructed any further north, a turnaround is needed,” city administrator Matt Muckler said. “With the recent construction of four homes in this subdivision, now is the time to provide a turnaround near the north end of the street.”

The turnaround will be used by emergency vehicles and snowplow trucks and will eliminate the need for traffic to use private driveways to turn around. It will be a paved hammer-head turnaround 20 feed wide and 47 feet long on lot 10 on the east side of the street. Lot 10 was selected due to its location on a steep hill which would require extensive earthwork for a traditional home to be constructed.

Seven bids were received for the project with Blommers submitting the low quote at $13,360. The completion date of the project is July 31 and it will be paid for using 2014 bond proceeds.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com