Blog
Nov 21, 2008
After the election
I’m writing this update a few weeks after one of the most important presidential elections in our country’s history. I wouldn't normally use this news update page to talk politics, but Obama’s election is being seen as the turning point in our country’s struggle for civil rights! However, while gays and lesbians turned out in droves to help the nation (and the rest of the world) by voting Obama, the marriage ballots in California, Arizona and Florida had extremely heartbreaking results. Staying on a more positive note, at least we will have several new allies in the Senate and House. In New Mexico alone, we are sending a new Democratic Senator and 3 new Democratic members of the House to Washington.
The fear of gays and gay marriages demonstrated in the last couple of presidential elections in this country reaffirms my belief that there is definitely a need for communities for gays and lesbians to live, play, belong and feel safe. It also strengthens my resolve to get Phase II approved. I have recently begun the approval process for Phase II and, if all goes as planned, I hope to begin lot sales by the end of next year.
This past year has been challenging for all of us in many ways… the economy being the biggest issue for most Americans. We have seen the stock market tumble and the value of our homes decrease dramatically.
Unfortunately, the economy and the current real estate market have affected many people’s retirement plans and dreams. I am very saddened to report that this has also impacted several of our lot owners at Birds of a Feather who have decided to sell their lots and abandon their dream of living in our community surrounded by their gay and lesbian friends and neighbors. It is certainly my hope that everybody will continue to be “friends of Birds” and will visit us frequently.
Many of you have been waiting for an opportunity to purchase a lot in our community in Phase II. Currently, because of the economic conditions I referred to above, there are three "casita" lots and three single-family lots available in Phase I. All casita lots are 1/4 to 1/2 acre lots and our pre-designed 1620 sq. ft. floorplan must be used on these lots. The single family lots are all approximately one acre. I will be sending out a newsletter with more details about the available properties to everybody on our mailing list in the near future. In the meantime, if you would like more information, please feel free to call me at 505 757-2901 or send an e-mail to Bonnie@birdsofafeather.com I would be happy to discuss the lots that are available with you.
So, despite losing so many of our current lot owners and facing the challenges of another long approval process, I am still extremely optimistic about the future of our community. We have many wonderful residents and lot owners that have become friends, neighbors and "chosen" family.
We also currently have seven occupied homes in our community and one more under construction! It continues to be amazing to me to see the community grow and develop after seeing it on paper as a concept/dream for so many years. It is especially fun for me to see the casitas built since they were designed by a Minneapolis architect and me about twelve years ago. Each of the three occupied casitas are so very different from each other because of how the owners chose to modify the interior floorplans and finishes to suit their individual needs and styles. I have updated the photo pages with some pictures of the new homes in the community (including our casitas).
Please check back periodically as I will be giving updates about Phase II more frequently as I move through the approval process with the State and County. Happy Holidays!
