Ground broken at future home of Griffin Estates
By Nathan Straus News Reporter

Nathan Straus Photo Jim Griffin, property owner, breaks ground at the future home of Griffin Estates.

The shovel went down at 10:15 am Monday, December 3. Jim Griffin, property owner, moved the first clump of ground where the Griffin Estates will eventually be placed.

"I own 67 acres of land here," Griffin said. "It's been in my family since the 40s."

Carey Crist, owner of Crist Developments, is working with the Griffins to develop this property.

Crist said the project is aimed at fulfilling specific demands for housing.

"We are creating housing in a certain market segment the city needs," Crist said. "The first phase will center on houses in the $150 - $175,000 price range."

The Griffin Estates will be constructed close to Martin Street in Chandler.

Griffin said the homes will not be homes for rent, but will be homes to be purchased.

"The work will begin in spring of 2008," Griffin said. "It's when the first ones will come up."

Griffin said while the construction will begin in spring, he doesn't know exactly when the first houses will be available to move into.

Nathan Straus Photo Griffin family members and associates gather for the Griffin Estates' ground breaking. Front left to right: Lance Dudley, Carey Crist, Frank Griffin, Serena Griffin, Lou Griffin, Jim Griffin; back, Stanley McCurley, Jeff Smiley, Gene Gieger, Jim Moffeit.

The decision to develop the land into a housing community was a sort of family aspiration to him and the Griffins, Griffin also said. The opportunity for development, however, was more recent. The decision to build the Griffin Estates was made only two years ago.

The overall project is huge, Crist said, and will not only mark Crist's biggest subdivision development, but also Chandler's biggest subdivision. Crist was also in charge of developing the Stone Briar, Deer Brook and Deer Brook Village subdivisions.

"Griffin Estates will be built in five phases," Crist said. "At the end there will be around 220 lots. We're hoping to have the first houses up in summer."

The first phase will include a handful of houses, and those who move into those will be the first to inhabit the Griffin Estates.

Griffin said the final phase won't be done for several years.