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First families move into new homes in Sparta's Central Square VIllage

It’s exciting to see how fast we were able to move families into our new development in Sparta.

First families move into new homes in Sparta’s Central Square VIllage

Jeff Cunningham – Mlive

Center Town Square is expected to have its first residents this weekend as families begin to move into the first new housing development built in Sparta in more than a decade.

The driveways, porches and landscaping are not yet finished on the two split-level  homes located near the east end of Alma Street. ButSable Homes marketing consultant Karin Kay said the families that bought the first homes in the new subdivision just wanted to get in as soon as they could.

The homes range in size from about 1,000 to 1,900 square feet and in price from $120,000 to $170,000, depending on whether or not the lower level of the homes are finished.

Sable Homes of Rockford is currently working are transforming the former Central Park into a 20-home subdivision. Work began on four homes last fall, but the harsh winter has prevented contractors from finishing the outside work. “The contractors will get that done as soon as the weather allows,” Kay said.

Last summer Sparta Village officials reached an agreement with Sable Homes to build the subdivision on what was city property. The site had been home to Central School until 2009 when the school was torn down and the 4.46 acres of property was purchased by the village for a park.

From the beginning village officials said they wanted to see the property redeveloped for housing as there is little housing stock available in the village, let alone new housing that is near the village center. “These homes are less than a five-minute walk from the parks and downtown,” Kay said.

Village Supervisor Martin Super said he is pleased with the development. “I understand that they have sold four more lots,” he said. “What is good about this development for the village is that it is an ‘infill’ development that the village didn’t have to extend village services to.” Super estimated last fall the development will bring the village $36,000 a year in new property taxes and another $14,000 a year in new water and sewer revenues when the project is complete, perhaps as soon as the end of 2014.

Sparta’s continued industrial growth, which has brought hundreds of new jobs to the village in the last three years, has increased the demand for “starter homes” and affordable housing in the village. “The growth in manufacturing here in Sparta has driven everything we have done in the last few years,” he said.

 

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