The builders selected Columbiana for a 355-unit housing development.
The builders selected Columbiana for a 355-unit housing development.
By DON SHILLING
VINDICATOR BUSINESS EDITOR
COLUMBIANA -- When Bob and Paul Struharik completed a housing development in Canfield, they knew their next community would be away from the busy U.S. Route 224 stretch that connects Canfield, Boardman and Poland.
The owners of Master Plan Builders in North Lima had a sense that people were looking for something more rural and quiet.
They think they have found just the spot on East County Line Road in Columbiana.
They started work last year on the Old Saybrook development, and all three parts of the development are starting to take shape.
Six townhouses are completed. Four single-family homes and 10 villas, or smaller homes that the developers call carriage homes, are either occupied or being built.
Relocating
Most of the homeowners are coming from Boardman and Poland, said Paul Struharik, company vice president.
"People think this is more country and more quaint," he said.
Keith Chamberlin, Columbiana city manager, said city officials are happy to have two large developments under way -- Old Saybrook and Firestone Farms.
"They are nice, clean upscale communities," Chamberlin said.
Both will take some time to complete, so the community will have no problem absorbing the new residents, he said. He estimated that the city has between 6,000 and 7,000 residents.
Other developments have been built in recent years, but they have been smaller. Old Saybrook and Firestone Farms are different in that they have "curb-appeal" from their entrance signs and landscaping, he said.
Chamberlin said he surveyed residents moving into the city last year and found that they are coming from many places.
Some are coming from Mahoning County and other Columbiana County cities, while others are moving in from cities outside the region. Still others travel regularly for their jobs, so they are coming to Columbiana because it is close to Pittsburgh International Airport.
At Old Saybrook, the developers want to attract their share of these people by creating a Southern feel.
"An old-time charm is what we're trying to create," Struharik said.
The development
The entrance road is lined with large trees, as are two lakes at the center of the development. The villas near the lakes have garages in the back of the homes that are accessed from alleys. The front of the homes have porches, with short walkways leading to the sidewalk.
The long-range plan is to build 100 townhouses, 200 villas and 55 single-family homes over the next eight to 10 years.
The townhouses start at $129,000 for 1,200 square feet. The villas start at $179,000 for 1,450 square feet and the homes start at $200,000 for 2,000 square feet.
The development will cover 70 acres of mostly former farmland. Master Plan is buying land gradually off of local businessman Earl Corey.
The townhouses and villas belong to a condominium association, which provides snow removal, lawn maintenance, trash pickup and membership to a community center. The center, which hasn't been built yet, will have a swimming pool, fitness center and meeting room.
The homes belong to a homeowners association, which provides trash pickup and membership to the center.
In the past, Master Plan has built developments with just single-family homes, with its latest being Coventry Creek in Canfield.
Struharik said he and his brother decided to add townhouses and villas at Old Saybrook to reach more of the housing market. The villas are popular among couples whose children have moved out, he said.
Family involvement
Bob Struharik's son, Rob, recently joined the company and is working as site coordinator.
Paul Struharik oversees the estimating and contracting work that's needed. Bob Struharik, company president, oversees construction.
"You can see he's always dirty," Paul said, pointing to his brother. "Bob is definitely hands-on."
The company employs 10 craftsmen and four office workers. Bob's wife, Patty, runs the development's sales and design office.
Master Plan, which the brothers started in 1983, also builds custom homes outside of its developments and commercial buildings.
shilling@vindy.com