Sidewalk & landscaping Phase I home Plaza walkway in the Spring

Development Phase I of Arbolera de Vida includes 3.74 acres with an award winning neighborhood ¾ acre plaza and 23 single-family homes. All Phase I homes were completed and sold by 2003. Of the 23 homes, there are twelve single-family detached homes and 11 townhomes consisting of:

8 three-bedroom detached homes
3 four-bedroom detached homes
1 three-bedroom detached home with an attached living unit (granny flat)
2 two-bedroom townhomes
8 three-bedroom townhomes
1 four-bedroom townhome

Funding for Phase I comes from a complex network of partnerships including: the City of Albuquerque, the State of new Mexico and federal HOME and CDBG monies. The project also includes funding from Wells Fargo Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank. Because 90 percent of the households being served in Phase I are under 60 percent of area median income it takes multiple funding sources to bring the price down to an affordable level.

Phase II will complete the residential development of Arbolera de Vida and is, itself, being built in various segments. Total housing units constructed in this phase will be 113, including 67 homes for sale and 46 senior rental apartments.

• Phase IIA began in 2006 and was completed in 2007 with 30 homes, including four live/work units which are designed for people who operate a small business from home.

• New Affordable Homes Slideshow!

• Packet of Information on SCLT Housing Program, Intake Data Sheet Form for Potential Buyers, and Related Instructions

  4 three-bedroom, 2 bath single-family detached homes
  4 two-bedroom, 1-1/2 bath townhomes
  7 three-bedroom, 2-1/2 bath townhomes
  1 four-bedroom, 2-1/2 bath townhome
  6 one-story, 2 or 3 bedroom casitas (many are ADA accessible)
  4 two-story, 2 bedroom casitas
  4 two-bedroom live/work homes

• The Sawmill Lofts, added 60 live/work rental spaces and was ready for occupancy June 2006.

• Phase II amenities include a two-acre community park with a playground, multi-purpose field and a dog park. Planned amenities include bike and walking trails, and a working acequia (irrigation channel). Use of the acequia will be for irrigation of a future community garden.

• Phase IIB began in 2008 and consists of 37 homes and Sawmill Senior Housing, a 46-unit rental complex for low-income senior households. To date, more than half of the Phase IIB homes are complete. Sawmill Senior Housing broke ground in February 24, 2010 and is expected to be complete by December 2010.

While Phase I and II have focused on residential housing, the third and final development phase targets the community’s long-term economic health and well-being. In the spirit of Sawmill CLT’s history and mission, the Phase III economic development planning process will be rooted in the community. In 2010, we plan to host several meetings and public planning sessions soliciting the participation of neighborhood residents, business people, local institutions, government agencies and other community stakeholders. The ultimate objective of the process will be a plan which outlines appropriate commercial development within the community that will support employment and entrepreneurial opportunities and deliver convenient, accessible goods and services which meet the needs of the area.

• One element already defined as part of Phase III is a one-acre community garden. In 2008, Sawmill CLT partnered with the University of New Mexico’s School of Architecture and Planning Advanced Planning Studio to facilitate and produce a garden plan with the community. Several meetings were held, including a design charrette. The garden design plan was completed in December 2008. It includes an irrigation plan, composting, educational area, and planting.

For more information, contact Debbra Colman, Sawmill CLT Real Estate Development Director, at 764-0359.