Chesterfield County

(County real estate zones are 52, 54, 62, and 64.)

Chesterfield  has some major developments coming on line that will positively affect housing sales

and the real estate market.  The former Watkins property at Route 288 and Midlothian Turnpike is

being developed as Westchester Commons, a 1 million square foot retail mall.

Cloverleaf Mall will soon be demolished to make way for the new development, and Meadowville

Technology Park received its first tenant in July.  The 1,300-acrea park also became home to Northup

Grumman in August.

HHHunt's Charter Colony (area 62) was the number one selling community for the second year, according to Integra Real Resources-Richmond.  The 575-acre master-planned community had 218 closings for the year ending in March 2007.

The average new home price was $319,839, down form $383,801 in 2006.  The community will eventually have 1,900 units, including homes, condos, town houses and apartments.

Collington (area 54) is another area that will eventually have 800 homes.  Already, it is No. 5 in terms of sales, with 79 new home closings.  The average sales price was $402,619, up significantly from the average price of $280,660 for closings here in 2006.  The community features a clubhouse and splash park.  Homes are price from the $290,000s to more than $500,000.

Also in Area 54 is Ashley Village, No. 10 on the list, with 70 new homes sales for the year ending March 2007.  This is the least expensive new home community in the top 10, with town houses averaging $153,684.

In area 64, Tarrington on the James will have 725 homes when build out over the next six years.  About 240 families have moved in already.  It is No. 3 on the list of top-selling subdivisions.  It is also the most expensive neighborhood on the list with $818,534 as the average price for new homes.

Area 54 is also hot with the No. 7 Kingsland Glen seeing 74 new home sales at an average price $259,776.

Nearby, Watermill was No. 8 on the list with 71 closings and the average home price was $340254.  One new section, The Sanctuary at Watermill, is a conservation community situated next to federally protected wetlands.  Nature trails and the neighboring Swift Creek Reservoir make this a great community.

Fox Creek is an upscale community with homes priced from $400,000's to more than $1 million.  It features a swim and racquet club, indoor pool and fitness center, a kid's playground, Olympic-size outdoor pool, wooded paths and an amphitheater.

Heron Pointe is a new age restricted community being built along the Swift Creek Reservoir.  Houses will range from 2,200 to 3,200 square feet and prices start in the upper $300

Chesterfield County Firsts
Chesterfield County has a number of firsts to boast about.

The county has been the site of the nation's first commercial coal mine, the first paved road in Virginia (Midlothian Turnpike was built in 1807 to carry carts of coal) and Bermuda Hundred, the first incorporated town in English America.

It's also first in the Richmond, VA area in terms of population and students, counting 306,000 residents and nearly 59,000 public school students.

The county has become one of the region's bedroom communities of choice; in a 2004 survey by Virginia Commonwealth University, more than 94 percent of the residents rated the county's quality of life as good or excellent.

But that prosperity has come with challenges.

While Chesterfields' annual growth rate remains at 2.5 percent, expansion in pockets of the county, including portions of western and southeastern sections, has boomed as people move in to take advantage of good school system and housing prices.

Located south of the city of Richmond along Interstate 95 and state Route 288, the 446 -square-mile county is bordered by the James River at its northern and southeastern edges.

History:  Chesterfield County's history as a mining community is reflected in the county seal, which features the image of a miner with pickax in hand.

One day in you might visit the historic 1917 Courthouse.  The courthouse has remained unaltered since it was built to replace the Colonial courthouse of 1749.  Another notable historic site is Magnolia Grange, and 1882 plantation house now on the National Register of Historic Places.  And don't miss the 1611 Citie of Henricus, the second permanent English settlement in the New World.

Government: Chesterfield County is governed by five elected district supervisors who appoint a county administrator to oversee its $1.1-billion budget.  Each supervisor represents a district in the county.

Schools: With nearly 59,000 students attending 60 schools-two new county schools are scheduled to open this fall-Chesterfield County Public Schools is one of the 100 largest school districts in the nation.  Its operating budge for 2007-08 is $611 million.

County high-school students may choose to attend the high school in their or apply to two regional Governor's Schools.

Libraries: Chesterfield has eight branch libraries, a central library and a law library, each with public computer workstations.  County libraries also have meeting rooms available to civic groups and offer book discussion groups; computer instruction; programs for children, teens and adults; and services to the homebound.

Parks: Chesterfield boast more than 3,000 acres of green space at more than 30 parks.  The Parks and Recreation Department offers classes, trips, special events and programs.

Chesterfield is also home to Pocahontas State Park, a 7,691 acre park with two lakes and a campground that is ranked among the top 10 in the nation.

Some of the county's parks are:

Dutch Gap Conservation Area, 601 Coxendale Road.  Adjacent to the Citie of Henricus, it features 810 acres of hiking, mountain-biking and horse trails, fishing and bird watching.  Dutch Gap boat ramp and the boat landing offer access to the river.  Call 804-706-9690.

Henricus Historical Park: 251 Henricus Park Road, on the banks of the James River.  Commemorates the Citie of Henricus.  Includes period buildings, historical landmarks and visitor center.  Call 804-706-1340 or visit www.henricus.org.

Harry G. Daniel Park at Iron Bridge, 6600 White Pine Road on state Route 10.  This is 367 acre park has athletic fields, courts, picnic areas and walking trails, and is home to the First Tee golf course.

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