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43 homes and villas to be built in Liberty
The homes will be ready as early as summer.
LIBERTY — A local builder says it is time for new development in the township and plans to build 18 single-family homes alongside 25 condominium villas here this year.
Frank M. DiRubba, owner of DiRubba Associates Inc., and Jack Gabrieli of A.B.M. Builders LLC, have begun development of the land off Belmont Avenue just south of Tibbetts Wick Road. Most of the single family units should be finished by summer. The villas will not be ready until the end of the year.
The property was purchased in 2006.
According to DiRubba, he and his associates picked the township because of the friendly neighborhood setting, recreational opportunities in the community, nearby shopping centers, available entertainment and highway access.
DiRubba also said the township was ripe for development with little competition from other builders. He cited the relatively low cost of the homes, need for growth and accessibility.
The single family units will start at $180,000 and go up from there. The villas will be priced starting at $150,000.
“Liberty Township has not had any major new development in years. It’s not fair to compare us to the Boardman or Austintown areas because we just have not had the same level of growth,” he said. “These will sell based on the fact that we are centrally located and the market will come from the Howland area and as far away as Pittsburgh. We have gotten several calls from Pittsburgh.”
Township Administrator Pat Ungaro said the township has a lot to offer those moving to Liberty. He said access and more house for a given amount of money are some of the township’s best assets.
“There are a lot of reasons people want to live here, but I think what is happening is that a lot of people outside the area and in the Valley see the access we have here,” he said. “If you live in Liberty and work in Pittsburgh, Cleveland or Akron, you can get on the freeway and be there in minutes. People like that convenience.”
Ungaro said another draw to the township is its level of diversity.
The new development, DiRubba said, will also be attractive because much of the land will be preserved and untouched via government mandated wetlands and protected land. The nine acres of untouched land on the site to be developed include a lake, creek and some wooded areas.
“The backyards of the condos will overlook 9.8 acres of land that cannot be touched. This is beautiful, beautiful land,” he said. “It will be very private.”
Ungaro said the DiRubba development will be one of several to come in the near future. He said plans are being completed on others.