To see a scan of the original article, click here.

This article is also available on the website for the The Indianapolis Star.  (available for 30 days from publication.)

Turner Trace Reflects New Urbanism

by Stuart A. Hirsch
stuart.hirsch@indystar.com

Developer Darrell Brosius likes to say Turner Trace was inspired by the neighborhood where he grew up in Franklin.

Chances are, though, the houses of his youth didn't cost anywhere close to the $200,000 to $500,000 it will cost a family to call Turner Trace home today.

Still, after seven years of work to create a "traditional neighborhood development," Brosius threw open the doors to customers Saturday.

And there were plenty of lookers. considering the prices, he said.

"Probably 45 to 50 families came through, so it was busy," Brosius said.  "A lot of people just want to kick the tires, you know?"

Three custom builders - Oakleaf Homes, Miller Homes, and Nathan Johnson Builder - are involved in the project.

The 82-acre site is at the northeast corner of Ind. 267 and Hendricks County Road 150 South in Avon.  Brosius, 56, is developing the project with partner Dan Muehlenbein.

Turner Trace is patterned after a nationwide movement called new urbanism.

The community is being designed to give pedestrians preference over automobiles.  The homes will be built on small lots, close to narrow streets and alleyways that provide access to rear-entrance garages.

The project will feature 236 lots for single-family homes, 48 townhouses, and 17 acres of commercial area for office and neighborhood retail establishments.

Architectural standards will be strict and will reflect the historic designs found in Georgetown in Washington D.C., Williamsburg, Va., and Savannah, GA., Brosius said.

One acre of the commercial property has been sold for a dentist's office, and site preparation is under way.  Construction of the first block of townhouses is scheduled to begin next month, Brosius said.

Muehlenbein said financing for the project, which will take about 10 years to fully develop, is coming primarily from three private sources.

He estimated it would cost $6 million to $7 million to develop the residential side, and $15 million to $18 million to develop the commercial side.

Turner Trace About Darrell Brosius:  He is 56.  He has worked in housing and land development for nearly 20 years.  He was a project manager with Lee & Urbahns Co. before going out on his own and conceiving the Turner Trace project. About the project:  It will feature 236 lots for single-family houses, 48 townhouses, and 17 acres of commercial area for office and neighborhood retail establishments Phone:  (317) 341-0364. Web Site:  turnertrace.com
Construction Under Way It has take developer Darrell Brosius seven years to begin building Turner Trace in Avon.  Lot sales began last week, work on a dentist's office is under way, and construction of townhouses should begin next month.
All images in this article, copyright, The Indianapolis Star newspaper.