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Bonivista Is Complete
Pine Bush's 20 Year Condo Development Is Finally Filled Up

PINE BUSH – Almost twenty years ago, the Bonivista development in Pine Bush, a set of 100 spacious condominium units, won approval from the Town of Crawford planning board. The project began with fifty-eight units being built on the southern side of Boniface Drive on the edge of the hamlet, and those units were built all at once and sold.

This was, and remains, an unusual kind of development in Crawford, which is overwhelmingly populated by single family homes on separate lots. It offers something that is rare in our area: a way to live close to town, even without a car, but not in a rental so you can profit from the tax breaks that property buyers enjoy.

After that first round of units was built and sold, the first developer sold out to a second. That developer found conditions less amenable, built three new buildings on the development's western side, and then he sold out.

The market during the subsequent decade went into a boom for single family homes, but then crashed in 2007 as the sub-prime mortgage scandal blew up and the great recession began. Further work stalled at Bonivista... but then when the recession ended and local real estate started to recover, people started wondering whether Bonivista would, as well.

Now, it too has finally reached its final, ripe stage, with the last building out of seventeen, containing six completed units, having sold.

"Exteriors are almost finished; I expect two units to be finished by the end of May," said broker Maureen Cronin this week. "This is an exciting time... There's still time to choose cabinets, carpets, paint, tile, all those details can be selected now."

What is the appeal of this kind of home at this juncture in Pine Bush's history?

"It's low-maintenance living, added to the convenience of living where you can walk to everything," Cronin answered.

The Bonivista development is close to the Hannaford supermarket, the Valley Supreme mini-mall, as well as restaurants on Main Street. It's a short walk to Crispell Middle School or the high school, and E.J. Russell elementary is just a stone's throw away.

Indeed these are precisely the kinds of features that drew Annie Morton and her husband Dave to move in. Their story illuminates the kinds of choices that real people are making today when it comes to buying a home.

"My husband didn't want to buy a house; he didn't want all the maintenance work. He's a military man and is often on the road," she said. "We came to Pine Bush because my mother-in-law was here and she was getting on and we wanted to be close to keep an eye there. So two important factors came together. With this home we don't have to worry about mowing a lawn or shoveling snow. And it's really nice here; I have nice neighbors."

These are major benefits for a town that's worried about losing younger residents, yet maintaining its character.

Mike Floden is another new resident of Bonivista and a member of the condominium board. Asked what the appeal was of this kind of home, he was quick to say, "Maintenance free, no grass, no snow." He added that it's a little cheaper than a regular, single family house, including property taxes. "I think they're about half as much as they are on a regular house."

Floden also pointed out the modern conveniences of being in walking distance of so many town amenities.

"You have people around; there's no sense of isolation. You live in the country but you're still close to everything you need," he added. "We have a clubhouse, too, so if you want to throw a party you can book the clubhouse for it."

Crawford town supervisor Charlie Carnes also expressed enthusiasm about Bonivista having completed its sales... albeit it with a sense of caution. The town board has moved against absentee landlords and multi-family house conversions, but Carnes noted that he sees the condos at Bonivista in a very different light.

"I like to see it when people have skin in the game, because they're buying the property. They take pride in their homes, so I don't have any issues with it," he explained. "And, of course, we like to see people moving into the population center there in Pine Bush, keeping the businesses going there. I can see the advantages myself; you can walk to all the stores, walk to the library, the schools, the parks. So I see it as a plus for the town."

The completion of Bonivista is a plus for the current owners of condos there, too.

"Sure, I'm glad to see these units finally being filled," noted Floden. "Completion of the complex will help everyone's resale value."

And sets in clear sight a different route of residential life beyond single family homes.



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