Good Evening,
We got our first taste of winter this week and now have seventy-degree weather to look forward to over the weekend. Rain is forecasted for tomorrow, but we will not let that dampen the oyster roast. Well over a hundred people have signed up and it promises to be an excellent time for all. There will be plenty of options for those that don’t eat oysters. We will likely be setting up the cooking operation (and seating) under the covered terrace in front of Porches and the mail center, and of course, there will be plenty of room inside to eat. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow evening.
We had a very successful Realtor open house last night, and it was great to see many of you coming through the homes as well. It’s been a busy time in the development with four sales in November and a number of additional ones in the works. Construction activity has been continuing, but mother nature has a way of reminding us of who is boss. Large construction equipment is no match for the amount of rain we have received over this past summer and fall. We are making progress though and today curbing was installed along Excelsior, Sea Holly and the cul-de-sac off of Sea Holly in the next section of Rosewood Landing. If everything continues on pace, we will be able to record the new section sometime in January or early February. On the other side of the community work continues with water and sewer installation and that is proceeding pretty well. We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the debris removal trucks for the material in the power line easement as once that is gone (and Duke Energy finishes their pole replacement) we will be able to clean that area up a bit more. There will still be a good amount of work in that general area this winter as we plan to continue the installation of riprap and fill dirt along the bluff, picking up where we left off last winter.
Last Friday night (the day after Thanksgiving) we opened the bar at Porches and the response was fantastic. Thank you for that. We are going to start opening up on Saturday evenings as well beginning next weekend and potentially Sundays as well! Many of you have put forth several ideas, all of which have been discussed internally and we sincerely appreciate the feedback. We want very much to bring back dinnertime hours and will continue to work on that. When we do bring it back, it will be more reflective of what the resident base has told us they would like to see.
Amenities
The pool furniture will be stored away next week in order to increase its lifespan and keep it out of the winter weather. We are currently working on adding additional benches to the riverfront park, tennis and pickleball areas, and the dog park. I met with the HOA Advisory Board this week, and they provided some good feedback on some other possible improvements, and we will be working on those over the winter. Another park will be added up in the area where the observation deck was, once we get the bluff work completed. I’ll be meeting with the fitness equipment company next week to nail down the additional equipment we will be adding to the fitness center as well.
Neighborhood Safety
Thanks very much to those of you who have been slowing down on Chair Road recently. The NC DOT recently completed a speed study on the road to determine whether or not reducing the speed limit to 35 MPH all the way to Castle Hayne Road. I had a spirited conversation with one of our builders this week in which he commented that it wasn’t our responsibility to enforce the speed limit on a public road. He’s right; it’s not. We are focused on it for two simple reasons: 1) we don’t want someone to get hurt or killed and; 2) keeping our reputation with our neighbors along Chair Road is critical to our sales effort and the overall future of the community. Thanks for your continued help with this issue.
The New Hanover County Planning Commission will have a public hearing on the proposed sand mine north of GE’s facility on January 10th at 6:00 p.m. at the County Government Center. There will be an opportunity for the public to speak in favor of or against the proposed rezoning required for the sand mine.
Community Activities
Don’t forget the River Bluffs Farm CSA is now back and Farmer Steve is actively signing up new members. Click here to visit the farm page to learn more.
The second annual golf cart Christmas parade will be held on Thursday, December 20th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. It promises to be even bigger and better than last year.
Be sure to check out the portal for the schedule of live music, karaoke and trivia nights for the winter months.
Thank you all for making River Bluffs your home, and we look forward to seeing all of you tomorrow night.
Have a great weekend.
John Lennon