Last year I blogged, "Salem needs an 'Edwards Addition' like Monmouth has." Now developer Eric Olsen and his realtor partner Molly Beecroft have made that dream come true.
(I'm on a magical thinking roll, having succeeded in manifesting a Cafe Yumm in south Salem after visualizing such in a 2011 blog post.)
Today Eric emailed me from the Mid-Valley Home Show at the Fairgrounds, saying he and Molly were previewing the vision of a Fairview Addition.
My wife and I headed over to the Home Show this afternoon, finding the Olsen non-twins (sorry, couldn't resist) at the same booth location from almost exactly a year ago, when I told Eric he should do his "new traditional development" thing -- front porches, cars in back, etc. -- here in Salem.
Well, they are. Note the "Now Coming to Salem" banner.
Below is the Fairview Addition map.
Download Fairview Addition (this PDF file has a Design Reservation or Information Request form on the back)
Olsen Design & Development's 50 acres are outlined in red. This is part of the Sustainable Fairview property that has taken a long time to develop. The arrow at the top points to Pringle Creek Community, the first Green development to be built on the site of the old Fairview Training Center.
A more traditional multi-family development, a.k.a. apartments, is slated to be built on the right bottom of the map, where it says "Future Simpson Hills Development." I recall Eric saying that single family homes are planned for the lower part of the Simpson Hills property.
Leslie Middle School is on the top left. Appealingly, the green space right below the school that's part of Fairview Addition is titled "Urban Farm/Edible Schoolyard." An outdoor ampitheatre is the other green space in the middle of the map, with an arrow pointing at it.
Having drunk way too much whiskey, consumed too many drugs, and gotten way too little sleep in the days prior to visiting the Home Show, I bizarrely found myself writing a check to Amerititle for a deposit that reserves the right to purchase two lots at Fairview Addition.
I'm saying this to bolster my already-solid case for backing out of the deal if Laurel and I change our minds; the Design Reservation form says "Because of the early stages of this Development either party may withdraw from this Design Reservation for any reason by requesting such termination in Salem, Oregon where funds will be held."
We aren't ready to move from our non-easy-care ten acres in rural south Salem yet, as noted in my first post about Olsen Development. But I also really liked the idea of getting in on the ground floor, so to speak, of Fairview Addition.
In fact, arguably we are the ground floor -- being the first to put down a deposit on any Fairview Addition lot. Molly was kind enough to let me afix two red dots to lots 10 and 11 on the map.
I enjoyed seeing how thrilled Realtor Molly was when I did this. Had to admit that it gave a whole different feel to the Fairview Addition poster board. Lots are selling fast! Just 35 out of 37 left! (There will be additional construction phases on the Olsen Design & Development property outlined in red.)
We chose the lots in a considered, rational, deliberative manner that took about five seconds. I asked Eric, "What do you suggest?" and he said "I think you'd like these lots," pointing to 10 and 11. Done!
Of such intuitive moments are wonderful futures made. Or, horrific mistakes.
Which is why I kept re-reading the fine print on the Design Reservation form, which was in small enough type to make it difficult for my aged eyes to read. Eric helpfully reassured me that either I have put down a refundable deposit on the lots, or I have signed a power of attorney that gives Olsen Design & Development the right to sell everything that I own and cast me into abject poverty.
Having jumped into a hastily considered real estate purchase, I feel good that I did so with a developer who has a good sense of humor. Assuming Eric was kidding...
My wife and I, of course, have not yet seen the lots that we now have a $1,000 deposit on. Details, details. I liked the fact that the lots are adjacent to The Woods, 15 acres that, hopefully, always will remain woodsy. Eric was pretty sure that they will. Naturally we need to learn more about this.
Laurel and I are a long way from jumping into the deep end of Fairview Addition, but we have our toes in the water.
I like Eric and Molly's style a lot. They're the sort of residential developers Salem needs. Creative. Sustainable. Personable. Community-oriented. In my first post I shared part of the Edwards Addition Master Plan.
Intangibles
Probably most exciting are the things you can’t master plan, but grow out of a diversity of people and concern for the built environment. Book clubs, community gardens, holiday open houses and a Halloween parade are a few things we could have never designed, but organically formed from the desire to become a neighborhood beyond sticks and mortar.
Nicely said.
Very interesting! Great that you spotted it, and thanks for writing about it. In addition to the "front porch" part, love the alleys on the lot map! Maybe this will really get the whole Fairview thing jumpstarted.
Posted by: Breakfast on Bikes | January 18, 2014 at 11:24 PM
Very cool Brian. So here's the plan...
2015: Brian and Laurel move to new home in Fairview Addition.
2016: Brian runs for the Salem City Council from Ward 3!
Posted by: Jim Scheppke | January 19, 2014 at 11:36 AM
Jim, now I REALLY know I have magical powers. Last night I actually thought, "One drawback of moving into the Salem city limits is that somebody might ask me to run for a city office."
And now you've done it! I am prescient!
Fortunately, I mentioned my alcohol, drug, and sleep problems in this post. I have also written about my college psychedelic drug experiences.
Of course, even if I were drunk, high, dozy, or having an LSD flashback, I'd probably still be able to make better decisions than the Salem City Council has been making lately.
So I guess I'd need to find a better excuse.
Posted by: Brian Hines | January 19, 2014 at 11:55 AM
Just found this after meandering through the old Fairview property on my morning walk today and remembering something about Eric Olsen getting involved. Olsen developed a small space on Rural Ave. across from Fairmount Reservoir several years ago. Originally proposed (and approved by City Council after many people testified both for and against it) as a "cottage development" for people who wouldn't need garages, market forces turned that around in a hurry. Instead of small cozy cottages, they ended up with big two-story houses that completely overwhelm the small area. And yes, nice roomy garages for all. Having said all that, though, I think everyone who has bought there has been very happy with the arrangement, and the houses are very nice--just too big for the space.
Posted by: Janet | June 24, 2014 at 10:41 PM
Thanks for this post! My wife and I are exploring Fairview as well and wondering now that we're a few years down the road from this post if you ended up there, and if so if the development has lived up to your expectations?
Posted by: Brian | July 06, 2019 at 04:33 PM
Brian, always good to hear from a namesake. My wife and I ended up asking for our deposit back on a Fairview Addition lot, as the time didn't seem right to move from our ten rural acres.
Since, we've followed the progress of Fairview Addition. There is indeed much to like about the development. Eric Olsen is continuing on with Fairview Addition. Fairview Addition West comes next, along with a planned development of The Woods.
The latter is going to be interesting if it comes to pass: 16 lots on 14.5 acres, so large average lot size in an area with many trees and some good views. Next Tuesday the Salem Planning Commission is going to discuss the proposal for what's being called Fairview Woods. I could send you the public comment files on Fairview Woods, which has some mentions of Fairview Addition West, if you're interested.
My email address is in the right sidebar. It's [email protected]
Posted by: Brian Hines | July 06, 2019 at 08:48 PM