Firestone project keeps on thriving

The housing development is attracting local residents and people from other states.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
COLUMBIANA -- The Firestone Farms development is observing several milestones.
A $1.2 million residents' center with a pool and workout rooms opened last weekend with a party that attracted the singles, families and retired couples who live in the development.
Kids were given cameras and told to snap away. A collection of photos is now on display in the center.
Developer Wayne Bacon said Monday that the residents in the development are a community.
In addition to the center, there is a golf course and clubhouse, and he plans to add a banquet facility.
Bacon, who has been working on the project since 1992, said that overall, it's a case of, "build it, and they will come."
Bacon estimated that it make take an additional 10 years to develop the rest of the property.
But Darra Eberle, regional manager in the Mahoning Valley for Howard Hanna, which is selling the properties, said it may actually take less than 10 years to complete the project if the demand for housing continues at its current pace.
The development has a total of 1,100 acres, most of which are on the north side of state Route 14. The total includes 350 acres on the south side that will be developed last.
Variety of draws
Who is moving to Firestone Farms? Bacon said the residents include local residents, some of whom are moving away from the Boardman sprawl, people from the area who want to live closer to the Pittsburgh airport for business reasons, and former residents who are moving back to be closer to their families.
Ages, he said, range from people in their 20s to their 80s.
Bacon said others moving are people from other states with no real ties to the area who are attracted by what he called, "the value we have here."
Bacon explained that because of extremely high housing costs in major urban centers, people can sell their homes there, move here and buy a similar house for much less -- and have cash left over.
Firestone Farms works with different builders in the different areas within the property.
The first area, called Homestead, consisted of 40 homes starting just under $300,000. It sold out.
Twenty of 30 residences in The Villas at Stonehaven and 30 of 40 homes in Canterbury Court have sold. Those prices started at around $200,000.
Bacon says he arrives early and leaves late as he shapes the development.
"It's wonderful," he said. "I get to play in the dirt every day."
wilkinson@vindy.com