By Dennis Phillips dphillips@post-journal.com MAYVILLE Despite a slumping housing market, Jonathan Wood, WoodCrest Golf Course and Development owner, is continuing his plan to build homes along his golf course to bring people back to nature in the woods of Chautauqua County.
The idea for phase one in what Wood hopes to be a multiphase project is to build 10 homes overlooking the 13th, 16th and 17th fairways of his course. The idea started five years ago with Wood coming up with the plan to build homes that sit right on the golf course, which he said is a huge idea elsewhere, but isn't common in Chautauqua County. Once the idea was hatched, Wood said it took him about two years to get legal authorization for the plan from local, county and state governments. However, since getting the OK in 2006, no homes have been built.
''After approval, we had a lot of interest. We had 15 to 20 clients look into the idea,'' Wood said. ''Shortly after, though, is when the housing market took a big slide.''
Even with the housing market slide and the downturn in the economy, Wood stays optimistic about the potential development and his first sale.
''It (the economy) has made people who are looking not take that final step to say 'Hey, I want to buy,''' he said.
Wood's optimism he said is from the new team he has developed for the housing project. Teaming with the global housing company, Lindal Cedar Homes, and Prudential Real Estate out of Erie, Pa., Wood believes he has the winning formula to start placing homes on the back nine of the golf course.
''I feel with this new team put together, I get some much needed exposure,'' he said. ''The new team is interested in getting out there and selling.''
Lindal Cedar Homes is the world's largest manufacturer of custom cedar homes. Founded in 1945, there are more than 50,000 Lindal Cedar Homes. Wood said the company offers 600 designs, with 12 being allowed to be built along the golf course. He said lots average size will be around 1.82 acres.
''I want to bring Lindal Cedar Home's lifestyle to the area. Not only on the golf course, but the surrounding area,'' Wood said. ''People want green space and they want to go back to nature. We offer that.''
Kim Leland, Lindal sales and marketing director, said the design of the house is to bring the outdoors inside a home.
''There are walls of windows to capture the views around. The design allows a lot of light, perfect for experiencing the outdoors while indoors,'' she said. ''This is an exciting opportunity for Lindal and Woodcrest, and the public to own one of these fine homes in a beautiful location.''
Wood, who also owns a construction company, said once the Lindal package is selected, his company will design the building with his architect Bill Laubscher and, once its built, will maintain the home too.
Wood said his goal is to reach the tourism market, to attract regional visitors to invest in a second, or even, a third home along the golf course.
''With the proximity to Chautauqua Lake two miles away, Chautauqua Institution two and half miles away and right next to I-86, it's a great location,'' he said. ''We're sitting in the middle of a bonafide tourist area.''
Wood said, of course, local residents can also look into buying a home.
''The overall goal is to hopefully have an economic starter,'' he said. ''The construction of the homes will create jobs and bring in sales and property taxes to the area as well.''
For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: http://www.chautauqualakehomes.com/
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