The Oakwood North subdivision is progressing nicely, though the schedule is quite aggressive. The first two homes are due to be built by February, which doesn’t leave a lot of time. Crews have cleared and graded the property and septic lines have been installed. The cut-through has been cleared and work has now begun to connect the Edmund Street end to State Street. A crew was working yesterday on a wall on the back of the second lot. I assume this is part of the temporary retaining pond but it could be a drop in elevation (the tree protection area is right behind it).
A huge pile of tree debris remains on the property. I heard the tree stump grinder, a huge machine, was busy working on the pile when the cutter surface shattered, sending metal shards flying. The contractor has been working to repair this machine, causing a many-day delay in removing the debris.
This week, KB Home put up its sign at the edge of the property, announcing the subdivision. Strangely, the sign is angled towards Edmund Street rather than State Street, where it would gain more visibility.
I miss the woods and still occasionally see deer in our yard. One night a few weeks ago I drove into the driveway to startle a young buck and three other deer. They initially headed towards the woods area, only to find the woods were no longer there. Then they darted down the back side of our home where, ironically, there’s even less woods. I hoped they had made it safely across Glascock and into the St. Aug’s woods but don’t know.
One thing I’ve noticed is an increase in “construction tourism.” People now drive to the end of Tonsler (yes, there’s still an end), park there, and watch the work being done. I’ve seen what are obviously prospective homebuyers do this. I keep telling neighbors and friends that this will be a popular place to live and I still think it will be. Change can be hard, though, and I was attached more to those woods than I thought I would be. I look forward to when that property is alive again, with new neighbors.