Still smiling: Belvedere's first family welcoming neighbors

FILE PHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO

Nearly a year into their tenure as the first family in a struggling eco-hood, Kate White says she and husband Bret Harris remain happy with their decision to move to the would-be community off Rio Road.

"Belvedere remains a very successful project even though it's been hard," says White, who notes that five other energy efficient houses are now occupied (three are families with children), and construction is continuing.

Community planners envision build-out at 700 earth-friendly homes. However, high price-points and a national real estate collapse have taken a toll.

White, however, notes that builder Hauser Homes has launched a new line of "City Homes" priced under $305,000, something White believes will open Belvedere to families who might have been otherwise priced out.

Although large swaths of barren earth may now be Belvedere's most eye-grabbing sights, among the promised offerings are soccer fields, a Village Green for community events, and miles of walking trails, the latter of which have already been put in place.

White blogs about life in Belvedere at homeatbelvedere.blogspot.com.

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