Mike Reinhold, principal with Phoenix-based El Dorado Holdings and development partner for the Villages at Vigneto in Benson, Arizona presented an overview of this exciting project to the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association (SAHBA) members at its regular luncheon meeting this week. The presentation was one of several meetings that the Southeast Arizona Economic Development Group (SAEDG) have coordinated on this project for the public.
The purpose of the meetings are really twofold: one is for Reinhold to explain the El Dorado's vision of Vigneto to the region, and the other, to provide a forum for the community to comment and put forth questions about the development of this master plan community.
El Dorado Holdings was the prime developer of the Town of Maricopa starting when it was only 450 homes; while today it exceeds 47,000 homes. Reinhold spoke at length about the multiple reasons for selecting Benson for this development, in large part due to the natural beauty of the area and nearby attractions, including the vineyards, which reminded them of Tuscany, thus the name was selected Vigneto, which means vineyards.
The project is expected to mirror the lifestyle of the successful Villages in Florida and be 80% active adult housing, drawing from the more than one-million people currently retiring each year and offering residents golf, recreation, shopping, dining, medical and professional services – everything needed to live life to its fullest – just a golf car ride away, in a beautifully designed, open, yet access controlled community.
The economic impact to the region forecasted for the Villages at Vigneto is estimated at $23.8 billion over 18 years in spending and sales, as well as an estimated 16,350 jobs that are to be created. The developer plans to hire locally as much as possible.
Cochise College will also play a major part in the lifestyle, offering personal enrichment opportunities for active adults, as well as volunteer and business opportunities stemming from the community and connecting to the region, including Tucson.
Promotion of the community and region will need to be on a national basis, something that will help regional tourism activity, as visitors come to see the community amenities for a weekend or a week.
The developer has ambitious plans for 2,000 homes per year to be built with a total 28,000 homes. "The timeline goal," Reinhold said, "is to wrap up the public process by the end of this year and have final design and engineering ready by late summer or early fall 2016."
Westland Resources of Tucson has been contracted for its engineering and environmental services for the project.
In the past month, Reinhold has met with various other groups including the Cochise County Tourism Council, the Southeastern Arizona Contractors Association (SACA) and the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and has upcoming meetings planned with Visit Tucson and also with Pima County officials.
As Reinhold put it, "Success for El Dorado is defined by how a community can grow and flourish." The fact that they have chosen Benson for this project will benefit our entire region.
