Construction has begun on a 527-home project in east Modesto, the city’s largest by far in the past decade-plus.
The developer had estimated prices starting “in the high $400,000 range” when the Modesto City Council approved the plans Jan. 30. That figure and the upper limit are still being refined, the company, D. R. Horton Inc ., said in an email Friday.
The project, called the Crossings, is on 84 acres just west of the Amtrak station . Most of the site had mature almond trees, which were toppled and chipped earlier this month.
The homes could be too pricey for most Modesto residents, but supporters said they would ease the housing shortage indirectly. Many will be purchased by people now living in apartments, which will free up rentals for others.
“This is a great project,” Councilman David Wright said just before the vote. “We just need more of them here in the city of Modesto.”
First homes could be ready in a year
Horton plans to have the first houses ready next summer, said Vince McCarrie, a regional vice president, in the email. The project will be done in phases over several years, but a detailed timeline was not available Friday.